Artists - Crafts

Bronze Age

bronze bowls

After graduating in Industrial Design, Charles Haupt was taken on by Bronze Age, a multifunctional art foundry, in the Cape, RSA. “I’d always been intrigued by the process of casting, but thought it was a rather old-fashioned form of design. Once I got started, however, I realised that its creative potential – especially when combined with a strong and durable material such as bronze – is infinite”. Charles now runs the functional art department at Bronze Age. “I’m a great lover of functional design, yet also have a lot of respect for sculptural art. So I decided to combine the two”. The result is innovative, modern and beautifully crafted bronze bowls, in an array of shapes, patinas and textures, worthy of any first-world decor scheme.

Gnu Leather

leather bowls

Richard Jones spent most of his early years in Kenya where he grew up on a coffee farm, trying to avoid rhinos while out exploring on his bicycle. This early close relationship with the wilderness has blossomed into his career as a wildlife cameraman. But Richard first became interested in working with leather in his teens when he spent many hours practicing the art of leather engraving. Some 20 years later Richard became intrigued by the ancient art of hand-stitching leather and the idea of creating bowls from leather. The inspiration for these hand-made and naturally-tanned leather bowls comes from the vast semi-desert wilderness of Kenya’s Laikipia District where he now lives. Over-looked by the towering peaks of Mt. Kenya, cattle graze alongside herds of zebra, buffalo and giraffe and they too must learn the skills of survival against the many predators that stalk the land. The scars and scratches on many of these hides are a testament to their days of ultimate freedom in a land where all must sleep with one eye open.
 

John Greenhalgh

wooden bowls

John Greenhalgh started out life as a marine engineer. But he always made own furniture. He bought a cheap lathe, and a week later bought an expensive lathe, and turned as a hobby until he retired. He started selling nine years ago when his house was full of turnings! He says; “I only do one-off pieces these days, no production turning. I am always looking for the perfect shape, and for unusual pieces of tree, in that order. I am very fussy about the finish. Most pieces take longer to finish than to make. Pieces have gone all over the world; I know of lots to USA UK, Japan, Germany, Australia, Canada, Brazil, Hong-Kong, France, etc. Every piece is numbered and recorded in my ledger, and these days I photograph them as well. Every piece is signed on the bottom, with the serial number and the species of tree, and my trademark logo; a tiny heart”.

Kudinda

printed cotton

Ros Byrne started Kudinda fabrics in Zimbabwe in 1989. Her idea was to provide an outlet for young school leavers to use their talent for colour and design, by producing beautiful fabrics. She began by teaching one woman how to print fabric using hand-cut potato blocks. Now the company employs 60 staff in their potato printing, screen printing, cutting and sewing departments. Kudinda specialises in hand and screen printed textiles using traditional patterns in the rich colours of Africa. Each design is composed of intricately cut potato blocks and then printed in a unique pattern. These are printed in series and not to a pre-determined format, and the artist chooses the design. Each square metre of fabric comprises of no less than 930 stamps!

Zen Zulu

telephone wire baskets

Zenzulu is a design led craft business, fusing contemporary design with traditional craft skills. Initiated 12 years ago by designer Marisa Fick-Jordaan, on an informal settlement outside Durban, it began with only two skilled weavers. Workshops were begun to teach unemployed women from both urban and rural areas how to weave new designs, and Marisa soon utilized the skills of a group of Zulu beaders and a handful of young Zimbabwean refugees to expand the range. Now Zenzulu ensures sustainable incomes for more than 350 home based craft producers in four different communities. They have received numerous accolades and awards, including the Elle Decoration International Design Award in 2002. Their vessels have been showcased in Paris, Stockholm, London, New York, and Tokyo.

Lyziki Designs

collage cushions

Liz Hopkins is a native Kenyan. But it was while living in England that she began her business, Lyziki, creating images using traditional Kenyan fabrics. Now she is living back in Kenya and commutes between her Nairobi home and her holiday house on the coast at Malindi. She has continued her work out there, and being on site, has even greater access to the wealth of different kikoi (plain with stripes and tassels at each end worn by the men) and kanga (patterned and worn by the women) fabrics available. She also finds inspiration for her constantly changing designs from the surrounding African wildlife and local coastal scenes. Liz adds the final touches to her work by using authentic shells and beads to decorate and individualise each piece further.

The Woodturner

wooden bowls

Father and son team, John and Andrew Early , known collectively as “The Woodturner”, have turned their obsession with the beauty of wood into an award winning business, using salvaged pieces of wood. John has spent many years experimenting with numerous types of wood and different turning techniques to achieve the quality which now holds his name in high regard. He has also, over the years, passed his knowledge on to his son Andrew who, after completing his diploma in architectural draughtsmanship, joined his father. Andrew has introduced a contemporary dimension to the business with his unique, simple style in both turning and furniture making, attracting attention from local and international buyers. It is in their Dargle valley studio in Kwa-Zulu Natal that they showcase their work. Their bowls can be found in galleries in New York, Los Angeles and London, and their work has been featured in a number of top decor magazines, earning them a Conde Nast award, and an Elle Decor International Design award. Each bowl is turned from wet wood, left to dry for up to four years, then re-turned, sanded and waxed or oiled. “Pieces will continue to dry throughout their lifetime in a dynamic process that makes them ‘living’ art works, says Andrew.

Rosecraft

woven mohair

Nestling on a farm in the mountains of the Kingdom of Swaziland is Rose Roques’ mohair business, Rosecraft. Rose employs a team of local women who otherwise would have no jobs due to their geographical isolation. Everything is done in-house, from the rearing of the special angora goats for their prized mohair (known as the ‘champagne of fibres’), to the dying, spinning and weaving. Rose has worked tirelessly over the years to develop a bible of colour recipes, and it is this artistic and fascinating match of colours which set her woven fabrics apart.

Ronel Jordaan

felt

Based in Johannesburg, Ronel Jordaan has been a textile designer for nearly thirty years. She is inspired by nature and gives free reign to her imagination. Felt is her preferred medium. This utilitarian material has been used for centuries and is made of wool fibres that interlock as they are rubbed together. Thanks to its malleable texture, the felt she combines occasionally with other natural fibres such as cotton or silk, gives Ronel the freedom to create anything she likes. Ronel has also trained a group of women in the art of felting. These ladies are also learning to design along side her and have now started creating their own pieces.

Masterwires

wire & beads

Masterwires is the brainchild of wire weaver Bishop Tarabawamwe. “As a young boy I learnt how to design with wire. I started selling my craft at the traffic lights on the M3 at Bishopscourt and Claremont in Cape Town , South Africa . This is where the name of my company came from. At traffic lights I disturbed the flow of traffic: cars passing by were looking for my art. After blocking the traffic by stopping in the middle of the road one customer said ‘oh, that’s a masterpiece’. The traffic police started to give me fines and then a final warning, they wanted to take me to court because I was disturbing the traffic. With a friend I approached the V&A craft market for a stall. After a rocky start I decided to go solo. With the help of the management of the craft market I have improved my range of products, I have also moved from being a crafter to a designer and business person.” The exposure of having a shop at the Craft Market gave Bishop the opportunity to meet both local and international customers. He has done work for corporate companies such as Old Mutual and the Protea Hotel Group. He has also done commissions for Sony and has sponsored the Amazing Race Show in Asia. Bishop currently exports to the United Kingdom and New Zealand. “It is a wonderful experience having my work appreciated and enjoyed.”

Zambane

potato-printed cushions

Zambane, meaning ‘potato’ in Zulu is a project in Cape Town which employs women from the Ocean View Township. Together they painstakingly cut intricate African inspired designs into potatoes from which they block-print fabric and which they then sew into cloths, runners and cushions. The printing process is totally done by hand and the end results are beautiful and unique handcrafted products, in rich earthy and fresh spring colours, created with patience, love and dedication.

Wola Nani

paper bowls

Wola Nani Crafts emerged in response to the need for unemployed, HIV-positive women to generate an income. Through a developmental, self help approach the project’s members have been enabled to take greater control of their lives and achieve a better quality of life. Their innovative and often recycled products are distributed extensively throughout South Africa and overseas. The colourful and cheerful designs are widely recognised and they enjoy the Proudly South African endorsement.

Artvark

metal cutlery

Theresa Jo and CP are the forces behind Artvark, and their cutlery designs in brass, copper and silver are unique and funky. In their own words, they “combine the rough with the smooth” and create functional art that is modern, original and appealing.

Streetwires

wire & beads

Streetwires began in 2000 with two artists and three founders and ten years later they employ over 100 people, most of whom have been trained in house and export to 15 countries worldwide. Street wire art is unique to Southern Africa. “Born in the shanty towns and dusty back roads and baptised on the streets, today this genre is a thriving and legitimate art form in its own right”.

Tin Town

powdered metal

Tin Town designer Magdel describes her work as “using the soft approach to metal”. Sophisticated, wild and whimsical, these designs with subtle African influences are both modern and fresh and add a contemporary look to interiors where paintings may not be appropriate.

Rorke's Drift

hand-printed cotton

Located in a beautiful area in the middle of KwaZulu Natal right next to the battle field of the Anglo-Zulu-War, is Rorke’s Drift Art & Craft Centre. It was established in 1962 by Swedish artists Ulla and Peder Gowenius, who were employed by the Church of Swedish Mission. A Fine Art School was included and Rorke’s Drift has been the home of many world famous South African artists such as John Muafangejo. Today 35 women and men are employed in the different studios at the Art & Craft Centre, including the weaving and textile departments. They draw on local flora and scenery for inspiration and all their designs are unique and hand printed.

The Verandah Gallery

printed cards

The Verandah Gallery, run by Anna Fleming, began in 1992 as a one-day annual art exhibition to raise funds for the Emerald Hill Children’s Home in Harare, Zimbabwe. Over the last 18 years, this popular event, which is held in a private house neighbouring the Home has raised substantial amounts of money for the children. It has also contributed to a wider public awareness of Zimbabwe’s highly talented artists. In 1998, The Verandah Gallery began publishing cards and calendars featuring the work of some of these artists, and now prints wrapping paper as well.

Andy C

pewter

Andy C has no formal design background so his approach is fresh and uninhabited and he looks to nature for simplicity of form and fluidity of line. Simple shapes and modern ethnic designs have become his trademark and his pewter work, incorporating glass and inlay, is both smart and stylish.

Kaross

embroidery

Kaross Weavers was begun in 1989 by Irma van Rooyen with five Shangaan embroiders. The ladies began creating works of art relating to themselves and their cultural background. Today, Kaross provides a livelihood to over 1,000 Tsonga and Shangaan women in the Limpopo province. Quality is their objective, while their inspiration comes from their rich metamorphic language and the myriad of proverbs central to their communication system.

Pondo Arte

carved wooden fish

Pondo Arte operates from Port St. Johns in the Eastern Cape where it works with artists and crafters from the Transkei. Pondo Arte is actively run by Portia Ntobeko Cele who understands crafters
as messengers of history and culture. Pondo Arte currently employs 35 artists and aims to grow this number and provide even more employment. They mostly work from their own homes or Pondo Arte managed work places. The Masande group, who make the cushions, consists of 14 women. Most of them are young people that have contracted the HIV virus and are finding a supporting family structure and hope for themselves in this kind of work. Nonhlopheko is the woodcarving group consisting of one family of 10 members, who in turn support up to 15 more family members. Ndoda, their head carver is able to earn a living and manifest himself as an artist through Pondo Arte.