Shellegance at the V&A Waterfront

The V&A Waterfront has collaborated with local artist Lucie de Moyencourt to highlight this year’s festive decor theme ‘Between the Mountain and the Sea’.

WORDS Gina Dionisio PHOTOS Supplied

Lucie de Moyencourt brings her distinct ocean-inspired aesthetic, ‘Shellegance’, to the V&A Waterfront as part of the annual Joy from Africa campaign. With more than 1 000 crafters and 190 small businesses involved, the initiative transforms the V&A Waterfront into a celebration of creativity and community, turning waste into wonder and handcraft into holiday magic.

Her showcase which was brought to life in collaboration with Quazi Design, Bishop Tarambawamwe and Ashanti Design, is on display outside Woolworths, alongside other awe-inspiring pieces throughout the mall.

For this year’s installation, Lucie’s signature ceramic shell designs have been reimagined as large-scale papier-mâché sculptures. “It’s a massive joy to be part of a festive campaign that champions locally designed, handcrafted decor,” says Lucie. “I’ve always admired the V&A Waterfront during the festive season – it’s unlike any other shopping destination in the world. Being part of it as a Cape Town creative is really special.”

The collection draws on Lucie’s ‘Shellegance’ design language, which celebrates the beauty and whimsy of the sea in a sophisticated, contemporary way. “I created ‘Shellegance’ as a way to bring shells into interior spaces in an elegant, grown-up way,” she explains. “It’s about indulging all your mermaid, shell-collecting fantasies but with refinement.”

Each of the 40 handcrafted shells – ranging in size from 40 to 70 centimetres – has been individually sculpted using sustainable materials and hand-painted in oceanic tones of aqua, turquoise, blue-green and teal.

“No two shells are the same – each is unique, capturing the natural beauty and individuality found in the ocean,” she says. “Local suppliers made metal structures inside the papier-mâché shells to ensure they hang perfectly on totems without bending; the shells are interspersed with other ocean-inspired pieces – such as sea urchins created by fellow artists – to bring the full installation to life.” | joyfromafrica.co.za

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