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Decor: Contemporary Wire Animal Trophy Heads

Streetwires [South Africa]

Safari Fusion - Streetwires Animal Head

[Image credit: Wire Antelope Head; Streetwires – Safari Fusion]

Having a stuffed dead animal head hanging on your wall is rather creepy and so not cool; however there is a stylish alternative from CapeTown based company, Streetwires, that does not involve the unnecessary harming of Africa’s precious wildlife, in the form of a wire animal head; a modern take on the traditional trophy. A simple yet ingenious idea sees a sturdy frame constructed from thick gauge galvanised wire, onto which wire is then wrapped around to build the contours. The completed shape is then finished with electroplating to give it an antique copper look. The overall completed product reminds me of 3-Dimensional AutoCAD renderings and is a feature that gives the animal heads their unique appearance. Choose from the ever-graceful Impala whose antlers twist elegantly towards the ceiling or go for the more robust silhouette of a Nguni Cow or Buffalo balancing its powerful curved horns; whicheever you go for they are sure to get your guests talking.

Streetwires - Wire Antelope Head
Streetwires - Nguni Cow Head

[Image credits: Wire Antelope (top); Nguni Cow (bottom) Heads; Streetwires – Safari Fusion]

Wire art is a form of street art born out of necessity, whereby young herders unable to spare the money to buy proper toys would use scrap metal like coat hangers and tin cans as a way of making a cheaper alternative. Inevitably the popularity of wire art has grown, spreading across various Southern African cities attracting tourists and locals alike as they marvel at the skill in coaxing the wire into complex forms; and you will find children and adults like manoeuvring items like wire cars up and down the streets and in gardens for hours of endless fun; I must say even I can remember playing with a few that cousins would bring round during my childhood days. 

Wire Animal Lightbox heads - Galerie CO

[Image credit: Wire Animal Lightbox Heads; Streetwires – Galerie CO]

Founded in 2000 by Patrick Schofield, Streetwires is a social entrepreneurial enterprise that designs and produces innovative handcrafted wire and bead interior and lifestyle products. The initiative sees around 120 artists combine their unique skills and techniques to continually create new and exciting products, from fully functioning radios to the majestic animal heads gracing the walls of stylish homes across the globe. ‘People, passion, pride’ is the Streetwires ethos, one that helps all involved work towards the goal of achieving sustainable employment. For Streetwires sustainability means driving sales to help with investment in the business that allows for job creation, creative development and the individual development of all Streetwires employees. Streetwires invests in its people with a range of training programmes designed to develop skills. In 2007 the Johannesburg branch of Streetwires was opened and was later handed over to the artists involved to run. If you are ever in CapeTown drop by for a guided tour and get to meet some of the artists and if you have time get to try your hand at creating some wire art by booking a place on one of the workshops.

…stylish wire creations bringing the trophy straight into the 21st century. 

Additional details:
Animal wire heads priced at: AUD$549 / CAD$595 / €437,50- €500,00
For further information and to order visit: www.streetwires.co.za
Wire Animal heads can be purchased in:

Australia from Safari Fusion: www.safarifusion.com.au
Canada from Galerie CO: www.galerie-co.com
The Netherlands from South Design: www.south-design.nl

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