Meet the rising stars of African design championing heritage and craftsmanship

African design has long been neglected on the international scene, but recent years have seen the likes of Yinka Ilori, Amechi Mandi and Ozwald Boateng (whose collaboration with Poltrona Frau sees him blending decidedly British furniture forms with Ghanaian-inspired fabrics) do a lot to defend African design. the rich craft heritage of the continent – ​​a role that is being taken up by these rising stars…

Amwa Designs

Founded by British-Ghanaian multidisciplinary designer and curator Chrissa Amuah, Amwa Designs is a London-based studio where textiles, furniture and art draw inspiration from and pay homage to African design sensibilities.

Recent works include the “Asanka” table, which features, beneath its glass top, a jesmonite interpretation of a traditional asanka (a shallow clay bowl used in parts of West Africa for mixing and grinding Food). Amuah says the wooden base of the table is inspired by the Ghanaian Adinkra symbol Adinkrahene (represented by a series of concentric circles), considered the most important of all Adinkra symbols and linked to ideas of authority and leadership. With its off-center silhouette, Amuah’s interpretation hints at a combination of strength and vulnerability and is available in multiple vibrant color combinations. amwadesigns.com

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Studio Altin

Mehdi Kebaier and Yasmine Sfar founded this Tunisian studio to celebrate local design through the application of indigenous materials. Working with seagrass, clay and palm wood, they create extraordinary artisanal pieces, bringing together their experiences in interior decoration (Sfar) and civil engineering (Kebaier), and referencing the traditional craftsmanship of country by interpreting centuries-old techniques through point of view. contemporary design.

The “Ganymede” furniture, named after the largest natural satellite of the planet Jupiter, is a strong point of the studio. Its woven seagrass panels provide a contrast in color and texture with the earth-red metal of the checkerboard pattern on top – the metal squares reference the pattern of solar panels fanning out around a satellite. Altin’s “Little Dipper” seat, hand-carved from palm wood, also alludes to the universe: the title translates to “Little Dipper,” referring to the constellation of the same name. altin.studio

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Studio Nmbello

Based in Lagos, Nigerian designer Nifemi Marcus-Bello says his design philosophy is rooted in empathy and is connected to the continent through respect for people and places. With his humility prevalent in every project, the founder of Nmbello Studio has developed his body of work over the past decade while receiving several awards over time – from the Hublot Design Prize in 2022 to the Curator’s Choice: Design for Good Award in Design Miami. in 2023.

“Oríkì,” its most recent series, explores materiality and form with its first edition, “Act 1: Friction Ridge,” featuring a collection of sculptural bronze benches. Named after the practice of praise poetry among the Yoruba people of West Africa, the seats were launched in 2023 as part of an immersive installation that also featured a soundscape of the Mother of God. artist reciting his personalized oríkì. nmbello.com

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Mash.T Studio

Based in Johannesburg, Thabisa Mjo is the creative force behind Mash.T Studio. Producing furniture, lighting and homewares, it celebrates the rich cultural tapestry and traditions of South Africa through collaborations with artisan communities, incorporating a variety of materials, from colorful beads ( views on its “Bright Light” pendant light) to recycled telecommunications wires (used to create “Sprinkled Light” and “4Kona Light”) – which is traditionally used by Zulu guardians.

Recent lighting collections pay homage to the customs of the Xhosa people and the circular architectural forms found in rural areas of the country. The vibrant palettes also reference the summer season, which in Xhosa culture means abundance and festivity. By celebrating the artistic talent that defines the region’s cultural identity, the studio allows local crafts and artisan communities to flourish and be recognized around the world. mashtdesignstudio.com

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Rich Mnisi

Renowned for his sculptural and artistic flair, Johannesburg-born designer Rich Mnisi graduated from LISOF fashion school in 2014 and won numerous awards before creating his own fashion brand. Mnisi has also turned to collectible furniture, bridging the gap between function and art.

Drawing inspiration from the women in her life, queerness and her heritage, her work is strikingly fluid and organically elegant. Most recently, her “Nwa-Mulamula” chair was exhibited in Los Angeles as part of Southern Guild’s “Mother Tongues” exhibition, marking the opening of the gallery’s new permanent space in Cape Town. The design references the reclining body shape of Mnisi’s great-grandmother. A similar affinity for broad silhouettes can be seen in the new work “Vutlhari (Wisdom),” a lamp made from bronze and resin. southernguild.com

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Xanthe Somers

This Zimbabwean artist is inspired by the customs of her native country. His handcrafted ceramic sculptures, often functional in the form of lighting and vases (“In Bad Taste” collection), incorporate a range of materials and techniques and continually challenge the political aspects of design and the way it was manipulated by colonialism in Zimbabwe. “I like to draw attention to Western overconsumption, cheap labor and the impact of eco-racist practices on the Global South,” she says.

“I view this in relation to patterns surrounding childcare, caregiving, mending, repairing, sewing, cleaning, growing and crafting. My recent work seeks to reimagine the everyday and examine the subtle betrayal of objects. Through her vivid use of color, exaggerated silhouettes and thought-provoking narratives, the sculptor has exhibited her works at the V&A Museum in London and at Somerset House’s Collect exhibition. xanthesomers.com

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Don Tanani

Seeking to redefine the essence of Egyptian design while showcasing the country’s depth of talent, this contemporary brand is making a name for itself, thanks in part to a new collaboration with Lina Alorabi. The designer, whose work has been exhibited at the Milan Triennale and Nomad, returned to her native Egypt in 2009, after studying in the UK and gaining design experience in Germany.

Over the past decade, she has immersed herself in the vibrancy of Cairo, working alongside craft experts and visionary creatives. His first collection for Don Tanani launched in 2021 and his second, “Moruna,” arrived recently. Brimming with sophistication, it includes statement pieces such as a conversation chair, a curvaceous lounge chair, and coffee tables with a glass-inlaid tile pattern. “The goal is to reclaim our identity, which is often translated to us from the outside,” says Alorabi. dontanani.com

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Chuma Maweni

This South African ceramicist began his creative journey by making a series of conical vessels and pots using a pit firing technique intrinsic to the artistic communities of the Nguni people. Maweni’s design aesthetic featured dark, porous surfaces alongside hand-formed sculptural contours and decorative surface patterns, which raised his profile in the contemporary craft world.

After opening his own studio in Cape Town in 2016, this visionary talent has also showcased his work globally, exhibiting at shows such as Design Miami and The Salon Art + Design in New York. Additionally, his work was acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. With his recent designs, such as the “Imbizo” dining table and stools, on display at the Southern Guild gallery in Cape Town, Maweni continues to celebrate traditional craftsmanship through a new perspective and contemporary lens. southernguild.com