Matisse Welcomes Arturo Alvarez

This small, niche producer of handcrafted lighting is now represented in New Zealand by Matisse.
The company was founded in 1994 by Arturo Alvarez, a Spanish artisan with a unique perspective regarding lighting resulting from his background as a self-taught practitioner of fine arts.

Arturo sees the potential of manipulated light as a catalyst for going beyond mere mood lighting.
“Our lamps evoke emotions through light. They project textures, shapes and chiaroscuros that make the space where they are located become an emotional experience… creating unique shadows and turning interiors into cosy places, where light is transformed into art.”
This emotional output is partially achieved by a unique use of materials – the result of years of experimentation in fine arts. What look like soft, natural, organic forms are upon closer inspection, porous, malleable metals, often painted over to create random patterns of opaque and translucent pixels.

Soft pleats, outlined in light, are in fact rigorously handcrafted metal. Thanks to manual techniques honed over time by Arturo Alvarez, metals can be folded, pleated, moulded and cut into free form designs. Once overlaid with a paint finish, not only are the light patterns formed indeterminately, but another layer of resistance and durability is added to the lighting sculpture.

Materials used include painted stainless steel mesh and thread, woods, polycarbonate, coloured cellulose cord and galvanized steel mesh – all integrated with light to bring an emotional intensity to your particular environment.
Emotional but also extremely practical – the Hipatia rechargeable table lamp from Arturo Alvarez.