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Design

Design Senegal Textiles

Weaving Art Objects Promotes High-Quality Made in Senegal Design and Craftsmanship

Throughout her distinguished career, textile designer Aissa Dione has worked to uphold Made in Senegal, by taking traditional know-how and adapting and modernising it to meet global standards. This philosophy extends to designing furniture and objects made in her Dakar workshop in partnership with local artisans. In early 2020 Aissa opened the doors to Weaving Art Objects (WAO), a concept store dedicated to retailing high-quality furniture and interior accessories that continue to showcase the best in local production techniques and creativity.

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Africa Art Design

Exceptional Art and Design From Africa’s Finest Designers and Makers on Show in Paris

Art and design from some of Africa’s finest designers and makers are on show at the French auction house, Artcurial. Art Exception / Exceptions d’Afrique brings together 45 exceptional craft, design and artworks from 25 artists representing 15 African countries. Curated by Nelly Wandji Exceptions d’Afrique explores and celebrates the heritage and traditions of know-how through timeless materials translated into a contemporary avant-garde look.

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Design Ghana

Ghana’s Timeless Craft Traditions Meet Contemporary Design in Lighting and Textiles

Ghana is a country known for its rich craft heritage in weaving and textiles. Highlighting this heritage has been a long-held dream for designer Sara Efia Reddin. Sara grew up surrounded by the crafts collected by her Ghanaian mother to display in their home. On the foundations of this inspiration and heritage, Sara founded her homeware label Golden Editions, blending Ghana’s timeless craft traditions with contemporary design aesthetics.

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Design Nigeria

nmbello Studio’s Award-Winning Design for the Community by the Community

Challenging the way we live the global pandemic has given rise to the need for design solutions that serve the health and well-being needs of our communities. Particularly those areas where hygiene standards can be difficult to maintain in difficult circumstances. In a big to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria product designer Nifemi Marcus Mbello came up with a modular portable handwashing station. The design which is currently a work in progress has won Nifemi the 2021 Wallpaper* Design Award “Life Enhancer of the Year”.

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Africa Inspired Burkina Faso Design

Maison Intègre Objects Paying Homage to the Ancestral Heritage of Burkina Faso’s Bronze Lost Wax Techniques

Lost wax is a technique of producing metal objects that dates back thousands of years and is a skill used by artisans in different cultures around the world. The technique has been used in West Africa for centuries contributing to the creation of elaborate bronze, gold, and brass objects for royalty and ceremonial occasions. Inspired by this rich heritage Maison Intègre pays homage to the ancestral heritage of bronze lost wax techniques in Burkina Faso.

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Design Nigeria

Modern Organic Hardwood Furniture Design by Lambert Shumbusho

Lambert Shumbusho is a designer/artist who transforms pieces of discarded, damaged and found hardwoods into functional works of art. Having cultivated a modern organic design style Lambert lets the unique characteristic of the wood dictate what it will become, working with the splits, holes, cracks, and natural textures to reveal the inner beauty of each piece.

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Workshop Nairobi Guernsey Arm Mid Century Modern Chair covered in African wax cloth
Decor Design Kenya

Well Made in Kenya Furniture and Interior Accessories by Workshop Nairobi

Mid-Century Modern meets African print and traditional textiles in the furniture and interior accessories collections by Workshop Nairobi. A social enterprise based in Kenya’s bustling capital city Workshop Nairobi was founded in 2015 with a mission to contribute to the country’s furniture industry by connecting local artisans and furniture manufacturers and giving them the means to design, develop and craft their products.

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Chair [iii] Sculpture by Nigerian American artist Dozie Kanu
Art Design Nigeria

Artist Dozie Kanu Intersecting Art and Design

Dozie Kanu is a Nigerian-American artist and designer who practice intersects art and design. The son of Nigerian immigrant parents Dozie was born in the US, and currently lives and works in Portugal and New York City. These multi-cultural experiences inform his creative expression and the stories he tells through the object he creates. His inspirations draw on the streets and environment where he grew up in Texas, and the traditions of African craftsmanship.

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Sifiso Shange's Afri Modern Furniture Tells Stories Through Design
Design South Africa

Sifiso Shange’s Afri Modern Furniture Tells Stories Through Design

Afri Modern is an award-winning multi-disciplinary design studio that tells stories through design. The studio, based in Johannesburg, South Africa was founded in 2018 by Sifiso Shange. An interior designer and storyteller Sifiso refers to himself as a modern Zulu man, one who taps into his culture to create statement, modernist designs that tell the African Nguni stories of his heritage.

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Design South Africa

Hlabisa Bench Blending Craft, Design and Technology

Furniture and product designer Thabisa Mjo has teamed up with Houtlander and master weaver Beauty Ngxongo to create the Hlabisa Bench. A striking object showcasing the best of South African design, craftsmanship, and technique that has become an instant classic. The collaboration came about when the curator of Revelations, a biennale Fine Craft and Creation Fair in Paris, invited Thabisa to participate in the 2019 event.

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Mutapo Ceramics Marjorie Wallace Afrika Handmade
Basket Weaving Decor Design Zimbabwe

Mutapo Ceramics Inspired by Zimbabwe’s Basket Weaving Traditions

Tucked away in Harare’s Miombo Woodland you will find Mutapo, a ceramic studio producing one-of-a-kind collectable crockery. Owned by Zimbabwean ceramicist, Marjorie Wallace, Mutapo has gained international recognition for its intricately decorated porcelain ceramics often coloured with the studio’s signature blue and white glaze. The patterns adorning each product are inspired by the patterns found in Africa’s basket weaving traditions. Marjorie’s love for baskets stems from childhood and her memories of being surrounded by baskets.

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Wiid Africa Cork Stools Brown
Design

The Stool An African Design Classic

The stool is an African design classic, an iconic example of Africa’s woodcarving traditions. Its iconic shape has, and continues to inspire designers the world over who are drawn to the simplicity of the form. Stools were created for personal, and ceremonial use, whereby elaborately carved and decorated designs were used to signify status, wealth, and prestige. Here’s a look at four designers from across the continent who are taking inspiration from the traditional stool to create elegant furniture collections designed with comforts of modern living in mind.

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Yemzi Collection Inspired by Scarification
Accessories Art Ceramics Design Ghana Nigeria South Africa Textiles

7 Designers and Artists Inspired by Scarification

Contemporary African designers and artists inspired by scarification and referencing the ancient African tradition in their work. Scarification is the process of superficially cutting, scratching, etching or burning permanent designs into the skin. This form of body decoration is a practice common to West Africa where for centuries the resultant markings expressed a form of unspoken communication such as rank, tribe, beauty, and strength. Patterns in the form of scars would range from simple markings to those more elaborate and intricate adorning the face, chest, torso arms and legs. Scarification is not for the faint-hearted, undergoing the practice was said […]

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