Map
Alchemy of Light
Presented by Sarah Tracton & Sofitel Melbourne on Collins
DETAILS
Free, no booking required
Sofitel on Collins
25 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC, Australia
DATES
Thu 15 May 6.30am – 11pm
Fri 16 May 6.30am – 11pm
Sat 17 May 6.30am – 11pm
Sat 17 May 1 – 2pmBook now
Designer talk
Sun 18 May 6.30am – 11pm
Sun 18 May 1 – 2pmBook now
Designer talk
Mon 19 May 6.30am – 11pm
Tue 20 May 6.30am – 11pm
Wed 21 May 6.30am – 11pm
Thu 22 May 6.30am – 11pm
Fri 23 May 6.30am – 11pm
Sat 24 May 6.30am – 11pm
Sun 25 May 6.30am – 11pm
Alchemy Of Light is an immersive exhibition by artist and designer Sarah Tracton, presented at Sofitel Melbourne On Collins, Melbourne’s ‘Hotel for the Arts.’ This innovative showcase explores the intersection of sustainability, handcrafted porcelain lighting, blending functional art, interactive design, and circular innovation.
Set within Sofitel’s Lobby Archway and Level 35 Promenade, the exhibition features a collection of bespoke porcelain wall lights that challenge the notions of conventional lighting design. Each piece embraces the beauty of imperfection, using Kintsugi repair to transform porcelain fractured during high-temperature kiln firings into idiosyncratic luminous works of art.
Two Meet the designer talks will offer a behind-the-scenes insight into Tracton’s creative process. With a background as a trained chef, Tracton brings a unique perspective to this collaboration between art and luxury hospitality. She is joined by technical collaborator Dr. Ian Watkins, with whom she will share insights into the handcrafting techniques and precision engineering behind the work. They will debut their latest innovation: portable, rechargeable porcelain lights that double as serving trays, redefining how design and gastronomy converge in an entirely new way.
Participants
Sofitel Hotel for the Arts
Sofitel Melbourne On Collins stands as a beacon of artistic and sustainable hospitality in the heart of Melbourne. As a long-time patron of the arts, the hotel seamlessly integrates design, culture, and creativity, providing a platform for both emerging and established artists. From its curated exhibitions to bespoke interior aesthetics, every space reflects a commitment to artistic expression.Beyond its dedication to the arts, Sofitel Melbourne On Collins is a certified Green Globe member, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to sustainability. Through responsible sourcing, energy efficiency initiatives, and waste reduction programs, the hotel actively minimises its environmental footprint while maintaining a luxurious guest experience. By merging artistic excellence with sustainable practices, Sofitel Melbourne On Collins exemplifies how design-led hospitality can shape a more creative and eco-conscious future.
Sarah Tracton
Sarah Tracton is a multidisciplinary artist and lighting designer who merges fine art, craft, and functional design to push the boundaries of materiality. Renowned for her luminous ethereal handcrafted lighting, she explores the infinite potential of porcelain translucency through innovative ceramic techniques. Tracton holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the National Art School in Sydney, where she mastered the technique of layering diaphanous porcelain onto plaster slabs. Her ceramics infused with iridescent pigments, emit a celestial glow when illuminated from within. Embracing imperfection, she uses the Kintsugi technique to repair ceramics shattered during the intense heat of kiln firing, transforming breakage into beauty and challenging the paradigm of waste. Her work has garnered numerous accolades, including a Good Design Award (2021), AMP Tomorrow Maker grant, and Creative Victoria’s Creators Fund (2022). She is the winner of the Design Fringe People’s Choice Award and a two-time finalist for Australia’s Next Top Designer. Tracton has exhibited widely across Australia and internationally, including at ICFF New York (2024). In 2025, she will become the first Australian to exhibit solo at DesignArt Tokyo, supported by Creative Australia.
Dr Ian Watkins Bio
Dr. Ian Watkins is an inventor and President of the Inventors Association of Australia (Victoria) Incorporated. Holding a PhD in Chemistry, he is renowned for his energy-saving innovations. He collaborates with Tracton to develop cutting-edge, customised lighting solutions that merge science and creativity, resulting in highly energy-efficient LED luminaires with lower temperatures, reduced carbon emissions, and user-controlled adaptability in light levels and colour. He developed the Good Design Award winning groundbreaking minimalistic frame system in which Tracton’s porcelain lights are powered by near-invisible slimline wires, thus eliminating the distraction of visible fixtures and creating a mysterious buoyancy effect of mid- air float. As a team, they are redefining cutting-edge lighting design at the intersection of fine art, sustainability, and technology, creating works that challenge conventions and awaken a new paradigm of environmentally conscious craftsmanship.