What colour is your happiness?
Bringing Light to NGV Australia
In my native Hebrew, the name Ora means "Her Light". For me, this work has always been more than a technical achievement; it’s a living part of my personal sanctuary. I actually live with the 'Ora' in my own home and interact with it every single day.
Those three dials aren't just for show—they are how I check in with my own mood. I’ve learned that for me, orange is the colour that consistently sparks happiness, while a cool blue might offer a moment of needed calm. I find that a simple object can create an amazing emotional reaction, and that realisation has resonated with me since I first pivoted from architecture to lighting.
When Ora was first commissioned for the 2020 NGV Triennial, my goal was to take that power of light - the kind that moves us in sunsets or cathedral windows - and bring it into the personal sphere. It is a thrill to see it now as a permanent resident of the NGV collection, waiting for you to step up and "paint" your own environment.
Ora is my narrative of the "Personal Aura." By using a highly reflective substrate, I wanted to reflect the viewer back into the work, making you the primary protagonist of the luminous event.
I believe a light shouldn't just exist; it should "come to life". Through manual RGB mixing, you transition from a passive observer to the expert of your own emotional experience.
I invite you to experience Ora for yourself at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia (Level 2, Gallery 9). Sit with it, and notice which colour makes you feel most at home.
NGV Australia is open from 10 am to 5 pm. It’s the perfect time to find your own 'luminous sanctuary' in the heart of the city.
