The works of some of SA’s biggest creative minds will soon be housed under one roof, writes Marchelle Abrahams.
The art world has recently seen a resurgence in all things African - and now decor doesn’t seem to be too far behind.
Soon Cape Town will place itself firmly on the art map with the opening of Zeitz MOCAA, where the world’s biggest collection of contemporary art will be housed.
Not one to miss out on a global gathering of creative aficionados, WallpaperSTORE* is planning a pop-up in Cape Town.
In an exclusive collaboration with The Guild Group, the world’s first curated design store pop-up will be housed in the group’s new flagship space at the V&A Waterfront’s Silo district.
“We want to shift the perception of African design to one of belonging,” said Trevyn McGowan, co-founder and CEO of The Guild Group.
“Showcasing this WallpaperSTORE* selection, alongside our own offering at GUILD Store, continues our mission to place Africa and its creativity in the global frame.”
The GUILD collaboration collection will feature work by stars on the African scene like Porky Hefer, Conrad Botes, Andile Dylvane, Rich Mnisi and Buki Akib.
Here, we take a look at 10 of the names to be showcased at the WallpaperSTORE* pop-up.
Rich Mnisi
Fashion designer Mnisi is young at heart and blurs lines to tell unique stories of the past, present and future. All packaged in extremist yet minimalist structures, original voice and craftsmanship are his first and foremost motivations.
Rich Mnisi
Justine Mahoney
Mahoney creates sculptures mirroring her upbringing in 1970s Johannesburg, where a sugar- coated childhood collided with the harsh political landscape.
Conrad Botes
Described as the torch-bearer of the post-pop movement in South Africa, artist Botes’s biting satire is most often directed at society, politics and religion.
Adriaan Hugo and Katy Taplin
Husband and wife Hugo and Taplin produce iconic furniture, lighting and products with a boldly upbeat energy fundamentally tied to their chaotic city of Johannesburg.
Andile Buka
A self-taught fine-art, documen- tary and commercial photographer based in Johannesburg, Buka focuses on the perseverance of people and cultures, engaging with locals in various communities and documenting their narratives.
Laduma Ngxokolo
Lukhanyo Mdingi
Mdingi launched his fashion brand at South Africa’s first fashion week for men and has since immersed himself in avant-garde, Afro-centric and highly personal collections.
Buki Akib
London-based, Central Saint Martins graduate Akib’s fashion label was launched as a nostalgic expression of her experience as a youth in Nigeria and explores the golden wonders of the African continent.
Porky Hefer
Seminal designer Hefer focuses on conceptual precepts that manifest in three-dimensional forms in a variety of executions, from public sculptures and installations to product and furniture design.
Andile Dyalvane
Renowned ceramic artist Dyalvane records the rapid environmental changes taking place in Woodstock.
Porky Heffer. Picture: Steve Marais
Laduma Ngxokolo
Ngxokolo established his brand MaXhosa by Laduma to explore suitable clothes for the amakrwala Xhosa initiation ceremony using the finest quality mohair and wool. He express the beauty in the cultural exchange between Western and Xhosa dress codes.
* Visit www.store.wallpaper.com for more info