Shelflife Artist Tees Series

WORDS Lindi Brownell Meiring IMAGES shelflife.co.za

Sneaker and streetwear store Shelflife continues its collaborative Artist Tee Series in 2019, with two talented designers on the roster so far.

While the series kicked off late last year with tees created by handpoke tattoo artist and illustrator Ninjabreadboy and artist and designer Kim van Vuuren, this year’s editions began with graphic designer, illustrator and art director Mpumelelo Bhengu and artist and designer Jade Klara.

Each artist is briefed to reimagine the letter S (for Shelflife).

“I dig cartoons, mascots, mascot logos, mascot characters, etc and I wanted to incorporate that into my concept,” says Mpumelelo. “I made the tail of the tiger curve into the S letter and I think it complements the pose, the swagger of the tiger. The baseball uniform and bright orange embodies some street culture swagger too.”

Mpumelelo Bhengu

Jade decided to make use of a crocodile in her design. “I liked the way crocodiles curve to make the S shape,” she says. “I thought about a concept that disrupts the symbiotic relationship they have with those little plover birds that clean their teeth. We get in the way of everything.”

Jade Klara

The tees, which are available to purchase online and in store, retail at R499 each.

For more information about the series and to shop online, visit shelflife.co.za.