Design: Celebrating Africa Day With The Official Publication Of Contemporary Design Africa
[Main image credit: Centro de Artes Africana, Wooden Vessels – courtesy Deborah Mason for Aid to Artisans]
Today is Africa Day, cited as a day to celebrate the continent’s achievements and to reflect on the challenges faced. So, rather fittingly today is also the day Contemporary Design Africa, my book about modern African design is officially published in the UK, celebrating the achievements of contemporary designers emerging from the continent; and here are some of the exceptional designs featured within its pages.
“Packed with irresistibly stylish, original and covetable work that will be a delight to all fans of contemporary design.” – Thames & Hudson
[Image credits: from top, Banke Kuku Delta Collection Cushion, courtesy Banke Kuku;
ZENZULU™ Woven Vessels, courtesy Angela Buckland for ZENZULU™;
Zenza Lighting, courtesy AMR M. Soliman for Zenza;
The New Basket Workshop Bamboo Baskets, courtesy TNBW;
Imiso Ceramics Scarified Collection, courtesy Majolandile Dyalvane for Imiso Ceramics;
Jean Servais Somian, Mama Chest of Drawers, courtesy Philippe Louzon for Jean Servais Somian;
YSWARA Sankofa Teaset, courtesy YSWARA]
Contemporary Design Africa offers a refreshing challenge to rigid perceptions of what African design looks like. Focusing primarily on interior decoration, the book presents fifty designers, artisans, and cooperatives based on the continent or part of the diaspora who are creating sophisticated and innovative products and interiors. An introductory section surveys the history, vitality, and diversity in African design, followed by profiles of contemporary designers grouped by craft, from textiles, lighting, ceramics and basketry to furniture made in Africa, and beyond. Some of these designers reinterpret traditional methods and styles in beautiful and highly individual ways, such as the award-winning South African organization ZENZULU, which replicates techniques of Zulu master weavers to create modern African accessories for the home.
Contemporary Design Africa offers a refreshing challenge to rigid perceptions of what African design looks like. Focusing primarily on interior decoration, the book presents fifty designers, artisans, and cooperatives based on the continent or part of the diaspora who are creating sophisticated and innovative products and interiors. An introductory section surveys the history, vitality, and diversity in African design, followed by profiles of contemporary designers grouped by craft, from textiles, lighting, ceramics and basketry to furniture made in Africa, and beyond. Some of these designers reinterpret traditional methods and styles in beautiful and highly individual ways, such as the award-winning South African organization ZENZULU, which replicates techniques of Zulu master weavers to create modern African accessories for the home.
Sustainability and recycling are another important focus for many: Cheick Diallo, the founder of the African Designers Association, creates stunning furniture made in Africa using discarded materials. Others, like Nigerian textile designer Banke Kuku, fusing African and Western styles in colorful, visually dynamic ways. Complete with references for sourcing African products, as well as a glossary and bibliography, Contemporary Design Africa reveals the rich possibilities being explored by a new generation of African designers and creators.
Contemporary Design Africa offers up stylish, innovative African accessories for the home and some stunning examples of beautiful, innovative, and modern African design.
Additional details:
Contemporary Design Africa is available to purchase now in the UK, and on 2nd June in the US from the following online retailers:
Amazon UK
Amazon US
Thames & Hudson USA
Foyles
Barnes & Noble
[Image credits: All images were made available for Contemporary Design Africa and belong to the individual designers listed. If downloaded and used elsewhere please credit accordingly.]
