Interview with Tommaso Cristofaro: the artist who masters shadows to create light

Interview by Chiara Luce Leone

Introduction

In the contemporary design scene, the creations of Tommaso Cristofaro, founder of CristofaroLuce, stand out as light sculptures that do not simply illuminate, but transform spaces into places of emotion and harmony. In this interview, Tommaso shares his philosophy, the deep connection between light and shadow, and how he envisions the future of his art.

Q: Tommaso, where does your passion for light come from?

A: Since childhood, growing up in Calabria, I enjoyed building candlesticks and lamps with simple materials. Light has never been just functional for me, but a language — a way to evoke emotions. My vision is not to “make light” but to master shadows. It is from shadow that atmosphere, intimacy, and spatial poetry are born.

Q: Your lamps are works of art as well as design objects. How do you maintain this balance?

A: Each lamp I create carries a soul. I don’t design for trends, but to create a dialogue with those who live with it. I use authentic materials like aluminum, polycarbonate, and cork, which reveal the strength of craftsmanship. Handmade imperfections are part of the value — proof that each piece is unrepeatable.

Discover more about Gica Contra and Cornice, two of my most iconic creations.

Q: The relationship between light and shadow is central to your work. Why?

A: Light is life, but without shadow there is no depth. Emotion is born in contrast. My lamps are not meant to dazzle, but to caress — to create visual shelters of peace and beauty. In this sense, my research is close to what emotional design seeks to transmit: spaces that allow people to live an experience.

Q: You have worked in several countries. How has your international experience influenced you?

A: A lot. In Italy I absorbed aesthetic and artisanal culture, in Romania I experimented with new production techniques, and by working with clients in Europe and the United States I understood that the perception of light changes everywhere. In Northern Europe, people seek warmth and intimacy; in the Mediterranean, brightness; in the US, iconic design. This enriches me every day.

Q: What does it mean to be a light artist today?

A: It means having the responsibility to bring serenity, balance, and emotion into homes. In a chaotic world, a lamp can become a point of calm. My works are not just objects but presences: silent sources of energy and harmony.

Q: What is the future of CristofaroLuce?

A: I want to continue creating authentic works, without compromise, always exploring the boundary between light and shadow. But my true dream goes beyond myself: imagining that one day my daughter Carolina may take up this torch.

This is not just a company or a signature, but a mission: to bring into homes not just lamps, but fragments of light capable of evoking emotions, embracing shadows, and offering well-being and beauty.

If Carolina wishes, she could transform this language into something even greater, something of her own, while keeping intact the essence from which it was born: the idea that light does not simply illuminate, but heals, comforts, and gives life.

In this sense, CristofaroLuce is not a personal project but a seed meant to grow beyond me.

Q: If you had to define your art in one sentence?

A: I’d say: mine is not light, it is shadow that breathes.