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Okapi Wall Hanging by HOT COFFEE. -
Decor: Harem for HOT COFFEE -
Double Sable Antelope Wall Hanging by HOT COFFEE. -
Decor: Harem for HOT COFFEE -
From left, Harem with his partners in the HOT COFFEE venture, Eed and Tim Harbich, in front of a linen wallhanging featuring an okapi. Image by Jan Ras. -
Delicious Jungle Cushion Cover by HOT COFFEE. -
Bengali Tiger Cushion Cover by HOT COFFEE. -
Maharajah's Garden Cushion Cover by HOT COFFEE. -
Rhino Cushion Cover by HOT COFFEE. -
White Ibises Throw by HOT COFFEE. -
Peacocks Throw by HOT COFFEE.
WORDS Malibongwe Tyilo
We chatted to Harem, the artist behind design brand HOT COFFEE.
Harem has been painting fantastical scenes rooted in natural history for 25 years. His body of work has helped him build an international clientele that includes Richard Branson, who once bought 38 of his paintings.
“I’ve never belonged to a gallery and I wasn’t formerly educated; I’ve always done my own thing,” he says. “I was painting and selling to my regular clients and every now and then I’d have an exhibition. But I was always open to more commercial ventures. So I did a lot of interior design work, which built my passion for working with spaces.”
Recently, Harem started to experiment with digital printing on natural fabrics, turning fine art into decor accessories. This has led to the launch of design brand HOT COFFEE, a collection of printed cushion covers, throws and wall hangings. HOT COFFEE is stocked by Big Blue, Block & Chisel and Loft Living.
To view more products by HOT COFFEE, visit their website. Want to take a peek inside Harem’s former Kalk Bay home? We featured it here.
