INTERVIEW BY Phendu Kuta PHOTOS Supplied
The furniture he conjures is a bold, modern celebration of heritage and culture.
Sifiso Shange tells stories through furniture design. As the founder and creative director of Afri Modern, he draws on his Zulu identity to create contemporary pieces inspired by culture.
Joburg-based Afri Modern was established in 2018 and has since become an award-winning multi- disciplinary design studio. Sifiso and his team’s work is characterised by carefully considered geometric shapes and motifs and striking colours, evident in the renderings of the products on these pages.
The Virgil Store Unit, inspired by the late Virgil Abloh, is the studio’s most recent release – a representation of all that the virtuoso designer and creative director embodied. We spoke to Sifiso about his design approach, his influences (including Virgil) and more.
My design philosophy is about telling African Nguni stories through modern design, which is visually inspired by Zulu beadwork patterns.
My days are split into two design experiences. On some days, I’m at my home studio, creating sketches, technical drawings and the concept stories I tell through design. Other days see me at the factory or site, overseeing the production of products.
What is design done well? I’m a strong believer in form following function. I think the height of a well-designed piece of furniture is when this happens, and when it’s combined with a balance of aesthetic beauty that gives the design a strong visual character.
READ MORE: Rising Star: Mia Senekal
Design trends on the horizon include functional products that make the living experience easier and products that are meaningful to us, and tell our individual and family stories.
My favourite design destination is South Africa. I’m deeply inspired by our beautiful diversity, and the endless possibilities in the way we express ourselves through both our own culture and urban culture. I will always be inspired by home as this is my root – and through my work, I create vividly colourful “flowers” to share with the world.
Of the pieces I’ve designed, my Mdeni servers are a personal favourite. Family will always be a special furniture story to me as it encompasses the ideas of love, respect, care, unity, faith, my ancestors and God.
The easiest way to update an interior is with new paint, decor and art. The three needn’t be expensive – but they do have to have meaning in your life and inspire you.
The designer who inspires me most is the late Virgil Abloh, for his impact on both urban culture and design – and for his work ethic, and the way he articulated what he was sharing and expressing through his design work. He made me realise that anything is possible, and that collaboration is a powerful and empowering tool in creating new design ideas.
My favourite room in my house is my bedroom, because I love to rest (and it’s important for health and wellbeing) – but also because of its cool grey colour palette.
If money were no object, the design piece I’d treat myself to would be the rare Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime 6300G. Watches have a special place in my heart; they give us time and, to me, time is a beautiful reminder of life experiences, memories, love, patience, consistency and perseverance, as well as the understanding that we will reach our dreams in due time.
I approach most of my design work with function in mind – then I allow the story to follow, to be expressed boldly in form.
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