Western Cape craft producers show what creativity can do
The very best of Western Cape handmade items have been selected for an iconic exhibition that launches at the Design Indaba Expo.
What do finely crocheted thread earrings, a protea constructed from the pages of a magazine, and a mosaic inspired by a sangoma all have in common?
These are some of the 47 objects that make up the Cape Craft & Design Institute’s annual Handmade Exhibition Collection. The Collection, selected from 215 entries, has been unveiled to the public at the Design Indaba Expo, running from 25 to 27 February at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
The Handmade Collection, now in its third year, is the premier showcase of the Cape Craft and Design Institute (CCDI), which is a Section 21 company set up ten years ago by the Province and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology to promote and grow the craft and design sector.
The selection panel was made up of individuals from various arts, culture and media institutions, who looked for superb design, excellent craftsmanship and a high degree of innovation, said the CCDI’s Communications manager Marjorie Naidoo.
“The focus is on only the very best handmade objects and we are confident that this outstanding collection will prove the relevance, creativity and collectability of handmade products. As this exhibition encourages producers and designer makers to push their creative boundaries, new marketable products often flow from this event.”
This year’s collection includes works by many established craft producers and designer makers such as ceramicist Hennie Meyer and fabric designer Jane Solomon, who submitted a seat upholstered in a new fabric inspired by indigenous birds. There were also newcomers such as City Varsity student Amy Rusch who made a crown of wire, cotton thread and recycled magazine paper - “a playful object made for the fun of stitching.”
‘Up-cycling’ and ‘repurposing’ is a common theme, with winning entries including a large bottle cap and wire basket by Phanny Mangwiro, and a cupboard made from antique wooden printers’ trays by Kate Thompson of Recreate.
There is even an evening suit embroidered in African designs and decorated with appliquéd images, recycled buttons and plastic. The suit was inspired by traditional Cockney pearly kings and queens, whose clothes are decorated with thousands of pearl buttons. This was designed by Monique Fagan, produced by Lizzie Ngwenya of the Leechar Homes craft collective in Heideveld, with skills training funded by the Kommetjie Environmental Awareness Group (KEAG).
Some of the more unusual items include a mechanical head made from stoneware clay “showing the cogs expressing the inner workings of the mind”, according to its creator Alessandro Pappada, and colourful skulls embroidered on felt by Nicola de Jager of Calavera.
Lifestyle and homeware items include finely wrought jewellery, lighting, a merino wool and mohair handbag (Bridget Henderson of cowgirlblues), ceramics, exquisite hand-blown vases (Elizabeth Lacey of Red Hot Glass), a large wirework chair by Willard Musarurwa and maple and rosewood candlesticks by Bert Parker.
The CCDI has produced a glossy full colour catalogue and orders can be placed with the craft producers directly, or through the CCDI.
Contacts:
The Cape Craft and Design Institute (CCDI)
75 Harrington Street, East City, Cape Town
Phone: +27 21 461 1488 – Fax: +27 21 461 1228 www.capecraftanddesign.org.za
Issued by: Judy Bryant Communications
On behalf of: CCDI
Contact: Judy Bryant 083 2867168 | judybryant@telkomsa.net
Marjorie Naidoo, CCDI Communications Manager marjorie.naidoo@ccdi.org.za | (021) 461 1488
