Nice and good: art from South Africa
tribal princess
Their small likeness, the women from the Ndebele tribe have created with these colorful dolls. The "bust dolls" are hand-sewn and artfully embroidered with beads, Ndebele women are known for their craftsmanship. 7 cm to 36 cm high, 4.90 to 24 euros.
Who does it?
Ndebele women who live in the touristy little developed bush land east of Pretoria. The "Ndebele Cone Doll Factory" ensures their livelihood.
To order:
Contemporary South African Handcraft / Wirework, Tel. 030/881 75 78, www.wirework.de; all prices plus shipping costs
mesa
Buy foam cube or beanbag yourself: with the great covers from "Shweshwe", the nicely printed cotton towels from South Africa. Cube cover for a foam block, 40 x 40 x 40 cm for about 90 euros. Beanbag cover Ø 70 cm, 50 to 80 cm high (depending on capacity) for about 120 Euro.
Who does it?
"Ujamani", a group of women who have newly formed in the province of Gauteng in northern South Africa.
To order:
Contemporary South African Handcraft / Wirework, Tel. 030/881 75 78, www.wirework.de; all prices plus shipping costs
SolidaritätsBär
Significant footprints leaves this cuddly bear with the Aids loop on the paw. The little protector is especially lovingly made: up to 20 women each embroider a bear with individual patterns and give him such good wishes along the way. In three sizes: 22 cm, 32 cm and 39 cm high, for 98, 139 and 169 euros. Decoration: private
Who does it?
Originally only women from Cape Town. Today, the Forward Group also consists of men and women from Zimbabwe and the Congo who are known for their beautiful embroidery work.
To order:
Contemporary South African Handcraft / Wirework, Tel. 030/881 75 78, www.wirework.de; all prices plus shipping costs
sardine dish
Cover the table with lots of zest for life: The colorful bowls are made of paper mache and recycled sardine packaging. In a mixed set of three, 11 cm, 17 cm and 23 cm diameter, for 30 Euro. They are also available individually from 7 euros.
Who does it?
"Hug and unfold one another" meant the Xhosa words "Wola Nani" in German. This project has been helping HIV-infected women and their children since 1994.
To order:
Contemporary South African Handcraft / Wirework, Tel. 030/881 75 78, www.wirework.de; all prices plus shipping costs
Clever minds
What does garbage face mean here? With the funny animal heads, the artists gave a new life to discarded plastic bottles. Plastiktrophäen from recycled plastic: goat, cow and elephant, 27 to 37 cm high, 38 to 48 euros.
Who does it?
16 people on the Cape Peninsula. According to the motto "Craft from Waste" the "Kommetjie Environmental Awareness Group" has formed. She collects trash lying around to make art out of it.
To order:
Contemporary South African Handcraft / Wirework, Tel. 030/881 75 78, www.wirework.de; all prices plus shipping costs
Zulu baskets
Whether for storage or for decoration: The "Ukhamba", lid baskets from Ilala palm leaves, impress with their graphic patterns. They are a special art of the Zulu tribe. 26 cm, 30 cm and 48 cm high, for 44 euros, 64 euros and 136 euros. Decoration: private
Who does it?
The group "Ilala" has existed for 30 years. About 600 women and men of the Zulu tribe, spread over the Kwazulu-Natal region, feed their families with their wicker work.
To order:
Contemporary South African Handcraft / Wirework, Tel. 030/881 75 78, www.wirework.de; all prices plus shipping costs
cable baskets
Because the artists are so proud of their intricately braided telephone wire bowls, each piece is labeled with names. Previously, such baskets of grasses were braided and closed clay beer steins. They are ideal for picking up fruit, Knabberkram or decoration. In a set of three from 60 euros. Individually in four sizes: 13 cm, 16 cm, 19 cm and 25 cm in diameter, for 15, 19, 29 and 48 euros. Decoration: private
Who does it?
"Wirework", a self-help group of today 120 women and men in the rural areas of the structurally poor region Kwazulu-Natal.
To order:
Contemporary South African Handcraft / Wirework, Tel. 030/881 75 78, www.wirework.de; all prices plus shipping costs
Bright head
A delicate alternative to hard reality. Big game hunters have no chance with this trophy of paper and wire. You could even see a light: Thanks to a holder, you can use the animal head as a lamp. 75 cm high for 160 euros. Rest: private
Who does it?
Melvin Mabaka is a former street artist from Port Elizabeth, who teaches a small team his craft. Mabaka's legendary paper art is even shown in galleries.
To order:
Contemporary South African Handcraft / Wirework, Tel. 030/881 75 78, www.wirework.de; all prices plus shipping costs
frilled chicken
These funny chickens used to be plastic bags that were cut into strips and ruffled. Thus, the poultry is waterproof and ideal to roam through the garden. 7.5 cm, 17 cm and 30 cm high, for 6 euros, 8 euros and 16 euros. Rest: private
Who does it?
"Kunye" is Xhosa and means "move forward together". This project in the Cape Town area works with 250 mostly HIV infected people.
To order:
Contemporary South African Handcraft / Wirework, Tel. 030/881 75 78, www.wirework.de; all prices plus shipping costs
Pearl Animals
The art of "beaded animals" has a long tradition. Carefully and with great creativity, animals are made of scraps and embroidered with beads. These are handmade unique items. Approximately 23 cm high, 48 euros. Decoration: private
Who does it?
450 artists from the "Monkeybiz" project, most of whom live in Cape Town's townships and have a safer income through this work. The project finances u. a. soup kitchens
To order:
Contemporary South African Handcraft / Wirework, Tel. 030/881 75 78, www.wirework.de; all prices plus shipping costs
Stick Art
Every stitch made by hand, each motif signed by the artist - the Shangaan tribe's cotton pillowcases tell stories and are real works of art. 45 x 45 cm, 68 euros. Decoration: private
Who does it?
Some members of the people of Shangaan in Limpopo province. The organization "Kaross" promotes its culture and since 1989 has grown from five people to more than 1000. and takes care of AIDS orphans.
To order:
Contemporary South African Handcraft / Wirework, Tel. 030/881 75 78, www.wirework.de; all prices plus shipping costs
Who benefits from your purchase?
A souvenir from the World Cup country: That's nice for you. And nice for the people there. A secure income helps them the most.
On South Africa From the 11th of June, the whole world will be watching. State-of-the-art stadiums, beautiful natural scenery and celebrating people will be the images we see during the World Cup. But the country, with its approximately 50 million inhabitants, still has major problems - 16 years after the first free elections and the end of apartheid. Almost one in five adult South Africans is HIV positive. The unemployment rate is 24 percent, crime is high, and many tribes, such as the Ndebele in the north or the Xhosa in the Eastern Cape, find it difficult to maintain their identity.
Every fourth inhabitant South Africa depends on social assistance. A secure income helps people the most. The groupings we introduce are often supplied with raw materials, such as fabrics or yarns, so that they can preserve their craftsmanship and pass them on to the next generation. Despite the great quality of the work, it is still very difficult for many artists to market their products.
The objects, which you can order here, brings Wirework to Germany. This distribution in Berlin is managed by the native South African Michelle Schingerlin; It also supplies exhibitions and galleries and attaches great importance to trusting cooperation and sustainability. "It is important to us to preserve the craftsmanship of many South Africans and their traditions," says Schingerlin. "The elaborate craftsmanship is to be sold at fair prices.We organize distribution, the majority of the money goes to the artists." Since 1993 Wirework has launched several projects in South Africa. The group weaving baskets out of telephone wire has grown in recent years from 15 to 120 people.
An order makes double sense: you get a souvenir from South Africa, even if you were not there. And the artists make money for themselves and their families and can secure their future.
You can help these people (from left to right): Women of "Heartwork"; the group "Wirework" and the artists of the cushion project "Kaross".
