As part of textile and design studio Wren’s #artober initiative, a selection of local artists illustrated a series of the brand’s wallets.

The project was set up in aid of non-profit organisation Lalela. With the funds raised from the sale of the wallets, Wren, in collaboration with The Deckle Edge, aims to source and deliver art materials to Lalela early next year.

Each participating artist, of which there were 40, was sent a pack that included a Wren wallet. Once illustrated, the wallets were returned to Wren for coating with water-resistant primer.

“For us, #artober is all about showing support for art learning and creation,” explains Wendren Setzer, owner and Creative Director of Wren. “This is why we’ve asked artists to draw something that is meaningful to them. This can be anything from an abstract pattern to a landscape of their favourite place. 2020 has been a year of upheaval and we would like our #wrenartober wallets to remind us of the power that art has to inspire, comfort and revitalise us.”

A selection of wallets is available through thewrendesign.com and at The Collective at The Watershed, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town. The wallets will be for sale until the end of December 2020.

For more information, visit thewrendesign.com.

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From Lalela’s latest scarf collection and illuminated illustrations to a new Pedersen + Lennard couch and a beautiful animation on the life cycle of flowers, here are the top VISI picks of the week series – week 320.

1. Lalela’s Winter Collection 2020

Local NPO Lalela, which provides arts education for at-risk youth in Sub-Saharan Africa, has released a brand-new range of wearable designs in the form of a winter scarf collection. The scarves feature work created by Lalela learners.

Image credit: Higor Bastos, courtesy of lalela.org

2. Story of Flowers Animation

Directed by Azuma Makoto, featuring illustrations by Katie Scott and animation by James Paulley, Story of Flowers is an educational short depicting the life cycle of plants and flowers in a graphic and imaginative way, from pollination and rooting to spawning seeds and eventually decay.

Video via AMKK000 on YouTube.com

3. Pedersen + Lennard’s Escarpment Couch

Cape Town-based brand Pedersen + Lennard’s Escarpment Couch is the studio’s first fully upholstered piece. Featuring a slight recline, the couch is designed to provide both comfort and support.

Images courtesy of pedersenlennard.co.za

4. Diane Shearer’s Illustrations

Using pencil crayons in combination with pen, local artist Diane Shearer draws the landscapes she sees on her travels around South Africa and its neighbouring countries. From the mountains of Lesotho to the bright purple petals of Pretoria’s Jacaranda trees, she uses a combination of pattern, repetition, line and colour to capture her surrounding environments.

Namibia

Zimbabwe

Lesotho

Pretoria

Images courtesy of dianeshearer.co.za

5. Enrique Bernal’s Iluminated Illustrations

Illustrator Enrique Bernal (aka Kike) uses the app Medipang Paint to add artificial lighting to his illustrations. The glow mimics a fluorescent light being held up to the subjects, illuminating their faces or bodies in hints of neon.

Image credit: Enrique Bernal via mymodernmet.com

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From upcycled festive decorations and woven towels for summer to pocket scarves and a must-have coffee table book, these are the top VISI picks of the week series – week 312.

1. Mungo Summer Towels

Local brand Mungo has introduced a summer towel from its flat-weave towel range, just in time for the holidays. The refreshed Mungo classic comes in two colourways – a bright lemon and a soft mint, both with an eye-catching fringe.

Image courtesy of Mungo

2. Phenomena Lights at Euro Nouveau

Bomma’s Phenomena range is inspired by basic shapes: the circle, triangle, oval and rectangle. The geometric form references were a concept derived by Studio Dechem, a Prague-based design studio established in 2012 by Michaela Tomiskova and Jakub Jandourek. The hand-blown crystal shades are available with either stainless steel or brass fittings.

Image courtesy of  Euro Nouveau

3. Lalela Pocket Scarves

International fashion brand Lalela’s Spring/Summer range consists of light, silky pocket scarves that make use of Lalela learners’ original artworks, which are adapted and curated for the season by New York-based Creative Director Sandy Tabatznik. “100% of the proceeds from each sale goes towards helping young innovators find their voice and overcome the narrative of poverty through the transformative power of arts education,” says Lalela .

Image credit: Katinka Bester, courtesy of Lalela

4. Joy From Africa to the World at the V&A Waterfront

The V&A Waterfront celebrates local art and sustainability with its 2019 festive decor. The theme for the year is Joy from Africa to the World and features over 140 local artisans reimagining classic decorations from upcycled materials.

Image credit: Mark Williams, courtesy of V&A Waterfront

5. adidas Stan Smith Book

Stan Smith: Some People Think I’m a Shoe is a coffee table book celebrating all things adidas, featuring original imagery, historical photos, an exclusive portrait series by artist Juergen Teller and contributions from Pharrell, Raf Simons and interviews with the man himself, Stan Smith.

Image credit: Jan Ras

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From a new National Geographic colouring book and a beautiful Love Milo Tapas Set to locally made cashmere scarves and a mini paper metropolis, these are the top VISI picks of the week series – week 157.

1. Love Milo Tapas Set

“I love entertaining over the weekend,” says Assistant Editor Tracy Greenwood. “These would be perfect for serving little snacks to accompany drinks.”

Image credit: lovemilo.com

2. Justin Poulter for National Geographic

“South African illustrator Justin Poulter was commissioned by National Geographic to create a 60-page colouring book,” says Online Editor Lindi Brownell Meiring. “I love it when local talent gets recognised internationally.”

Image credit: Justin Poulter Illustration

3. Charles Young’s Mini Paper Metropolis

“Artist Charles Young (aka Paperholm) makes the most insane animated mini cities from paper,” explains Content Producer Michaela Stehr. “I think they are mesmerising.”

Image credit: designboom.com

4. Tuckbox

“We are always hungry at the VISI office,” says Acting Managing Editor Samantha Charles. “The Tuckbox is a really smart way to make sure your team has all of their brainfood to produce great work.”

Image credit: tuckbox.co.za

5. Lalela Scarves

“This beautiful scarf entitled Boy, from The Lalela project, is printed on soft cashmere and can be worn as a piece or framed as art,” explains Editor-in-Chief Sumien Brink. “And all proceeds go towards community upliftment.”

Image credit: lalela.org

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