Art: The Wonder Welders of Tanzania

Wonder Welders [Tanzania]

[Image credit: Large Flamingo – Wonder Welders]

Invite the African wildlife into your living space with these striking metal sculptures from Wonder Welders; a social enterprise based in Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania. Wonder Welders was formed in 2004 when a group of adults afflicted with polio came together and established a welder’s workshop with support from a local charity, Blue Mango Photography, along with donations of scrap metal from local businesses. After receiving initial training from a local welding expert the members soon began creating a range of objects including wildlife, birds and boats sold to the local market.

The Welder’s have also worked with an international metal sculpture artist from Scotland and held their first exhibition, raising funds to officially launch the business. Wonder Welders prides itself on being self-sufficient and demand from local and international customers has enabled the training and employment of more disabled Tanzanians. Over the years Wonder Welders has evolved into a design collective, bringing together diverse talents in papermaking, carpentry, soap making and beading.

[Image credits: From top left; Leaping Rabbit, Sitting Giraffe, Medium Rooster and Lobster – Wonder Welders]

In an effort to promote recycling everything created by Wonder Welders is made from recycled waste and the sculptures are suitable for placing indoors or out. With incredible attention to detail; cogs, bolts, sheet metal, coils and springs are fused together to form the familiar; lions, rhinos, giraffe, buffalo and lizards; I recall encounters with lizards scuttling across walls as they sought refuge having lost their way from outdoors so a metal one mounted on the wall would serve as a reminder, however, the large elegant flamingo and the playful leaping rabbit are two of my favourites.    

[Image credit: Curved Gecko – Wonder Welders]

… so life-like in the shadows of a garden at night-time might just make unwanted guests think twice!

Additional Details:
Prices on the Wonder Welders website range from: £7/USD$9
International shipping available contact Wonder Welders for locations and delivery charges
For further information on Wonder Welders and to place orders visit: www.wonderwelders.org
To place an order via the UK visit the following retailers: www.theafricahouse.com, and www.theartzgallery.co.uk