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Tribe Mirror by Adam Court for Okha Interiors -
Amicus Curiae in human bone by Michael MacGarry -
SG Chair by Anatomy Design in collaboration with Nicky Levenberg -
Disperis Woodii in clay by Astrid Dahl -
Fold by Atang Tshikare in collaboration with Cameron Barnes Furniture -
Table by Beth Armstrong -
The Collector of Small Things by Bronwyn Lace -
Till death do us part in pine, burlap, hemp, wool and latex foam by Casamento -
Infinity Wall Plate by Christina Bryer -
Bedside Cabinets by Conrad Botes -
Nuvola by Daffonchio & Associates Architects -
The Gateway to the Invisible must be Visible in Granite & Porcelain by Daniella Mooney & Yogi de Bee : Granite and Porcelain -
Haywire Kiaat by David Krynauw -
Mobile by David Ross -
Hlambu by Dawn Dludlu for Dokter and Misses -
Verser table by Dokter and Misses -
Tree Hugger Wood Chopping Block by Frank van Reenen -
Gule Wamkulu Dancers in wild olive wood by Friday Jibu -
Altar Ego by Givan Lotz -
Siphiwe’s Biography Basket with audio for Gone Rural in wood, grasses, reeds, bone & waste materials -
Hand blown glass by Guido van Besouw -
Improvised Seating by Guy du Toit -
Reclining Cat on Pink and Green Base
 in glazed ceramic by Hylton Nel -
Sonolith by Joe Paine in collaboration with Ross Drakes and Richard Jenks -
Topple by John Murray and WhatiftheworldGallery in collaboration with Paco Pakdoust -
Curve Table by Malica Design -
Perspective Trace by Marcus Neustetter -
Norma Frontalis by Marisa Fick-Jordaan -
Curvaceous Figures in ceramic by Martine Jackson -
Glasses by Martli Janse van Rensburg -
Pick Axis by Michele Mathison -
Third Table by Mock Mock -
Black Hair and Rose Gold Ring by Peter Eastma -
Invasion by Philippe Bousquet -
Puzzle Bench in french oak by Pierre Cronje -
DayNight Bed by Piers Mansfield-Scaddan -
The Celebrated Joint in solid oak, pre-cast cement fondu and stainless steel strips by Pieter Mathew -
Lalibella red chair by Ronel Jordaan -
Beaded Jozi Jazz Blues by Wayne Barker -
Lihlatsi Emafini by Ngwenya Glass in collaboration with Julian McGowan -
Samoosa table by Xandre Kriel
The highly anticipated new Museum of African Design in downtown Johannesburg’s Maboneng precinct opened with the splendiferous annual Southern Guild exhibition. Showing until 3 November, the some 200 works are an absolute must-see with new work from the likes of Anatomy Design, Casamento, Goet, Joe Paine, Dokter and Misses and more.
Here at VISI we are always excited for excellent new local design, especially by fresh new talent. For instance, we love Bloemfontein-born Atang Tshikare’s geometric architectural line drawings etched onto the wooden tables made by Cameron Barnes Furniture. Better known as a graphic designer, Givan Lötz also explores the optical limits of geometry with his unusual mirrors, not to mention Meyer von Wielligh’s naturally elegant Leaf sideboard.
Speaking of limits, two artists stood out for us as having really pushed their materials. Cameron Platter continued to subvert the ordinary with incendiary new meaning with his plastic garden chair that is in fact wood. Meanwhile, getting somewhat controversial, Michael MacGarry presented chopsticks made out of human bone. Interestingly, because of the human material, the work can’t be sold and we can’t help wondering what it’s fate may be!
A perennial VISI favourite, Dokter and Misses (whose design of Wyatt Hairdressing is featured in VISI 68 SPRINGLOADED) show off just why their refined formalist-with-an-African-twist designs are amassing an international cult following. Their collaboration with Dawn Dludlu in particular has us gaga. In fact, isn’t it awesome the frontiers that craft is being taken to – have a look at Marisa Fick-Jordan’s striking wirework.
One of the highlights of the Southern Guild show is always seeing artists and designers punch out of their comfort zone. Take artist Conrad Botes who takes his comic-book style and produces real three-dimensional functional furniture – we’re sure that a Botes headboard and bedside tables would enhance our dreams at night.
Photographer David Ross also showed what he’s learnt about design from behind the camera all these years with his range of mobiles (as seen in VISI 68 SPRINGLOADED). Oh and, also previewed in VISI 68 SPRINGLOADED, are Philippe Bousquet’s delightful scrap metal sculptures that, with his dogs and robots, bring retro-futurist fun and animation to the otherwise predictable genre of lighting.
One of our favourite must-have pieces though is designer and sculptor Xandre Kriel’s Samoosa table. Besides its metallic beauty, that a designer found inspiration in the rather ordinary samosa for something so beautiful blows our collective minds, making us want to open our wallets and get drastic with the plastic. But then, if we’re going to bring out the plastic there’s also Pierre Cronje’s wonderful Puzzle Bench, not to mention the exquisite collaboration between artist John Murray and carpet manufacturer Paco Pakdoust – although perhaps the latter is almost too good to walk on!
Of course you can see all of this for yourself by visiting the museum until Sunday 3 November. Presented in partnership with steel giant Arcelor Mittal SA and featuring over 200 works by 100 artists and designers, this is Southern Guild’s most extensive exhibition since being founding in 2008 – incredible considering how busy they’ve been promoting SA design overseas this year (read more here).
