From Chicago Roots to Artful Candle Objects
When Meg & Bart Sobieszczanski first crossed paths in 1993 at art school—bonding over jewelry design—the seed of ESCLUSSO was planted. United by an insatiable curiosity across disciplines—from painting and sculpture to interiors and architecture—they spent two decades travelling through more than 20 countries, weaving global aesthetics into their evolving design identity.
In 2012, now partners in both art and life, they relocated to Chicago, and ESCLUSSO emerged as a creative atelier rooted in the Midwest. Originally, their sculptural candles were gifts for clients of their design studio in the city, but the objects quickly captured hearts beyond those rooms. Today, ESCLUSSO candles are recognized in galleries and museum stores across the U.S. and Canada, celebrated for their world-class artistry and collector appeal.
A Candle as Art Object
At ESCLUSSO, each piece is conceived as candle art—not merely functional pieces, but sculptural, collectible objects designed to complement interiors like ceramics or landscape art. Their iconic ESSA silhouette, developed in Chicago, references contours of dunes, canopies, horizons, and geological volumes, while embracing the tactile layering of pigments and wax. Made individually by hand, each candle is a singular expression of design and craftsmanship that embodies the founders’ holistic creative vision.
The International Influence, Born in Chicago
Meg & Bart’s global odyssey shaped ESCLUSSO far beyond simple aesthetic inspiration—their travels instilled a deep respect for form, material, and cultural nuance. Chicago provided the fertile ground where those ideas coalesced into a studio practice centered on handcrafted design objects. From layering encaustic wax pigments to forming emotionally resonant silhouettes, ESCLUSSO's process reflects over 20 years of experimentation and refinement.
Today’s Legacy
What began as a small artistic impulse in Chicago has grown into an internationally renowned atelier. ESCLUSSO candles now stand as statements of candle artistry, marrying sculptural form, material innovation, and collector-level design intent. From the studio heart in London to the origins in Chicago, every candle embodies their commitment to art in wax, color, and contour.
