When did the Calabarte brand begin?
Since I came back from Senegal, I have only made lamps from African gourds. I created my first website and would upload photos to portals like DeviantArt to show my work. When in 2011 a larger foreign portal published an article about my work, I started to receive requests from people across the world.
Why is your making process so time consuming?
From the beginning my rule has been to not repeat patterns. Each lamp is a unique piece. I am a perfectionist and with every project, refining my skills and precision, my designs evolve. The designs are more laborious, and I am more ambitious.
©Radosław Zawadzki
What is your inspiration when you design?
Geometry in all its aspects. I used to go through fractals a lot, it would stimulate my imagination. I start sketching a pattern that with time evolves, it's a complex process. My spatial imagination and analytical skills come in handy.
How do you envision the future for Calabarte?
More than once it has occurred to me to hire a few people and increase the number of projects. However, I feel that even if I make so few lamps a year, I am constantly evolving my own personal style. Right now, I am also working on jewellery that might become a new part of my craft.