Unveiling Her(e)itage: A Unique Design Collaboration Between Southnord and Svenskt Tenn
Southnord is delighted to announce its collaboration with Svenskt Tenn, “Her(e)itage” - a celebration of art, heritage and design. This exclusive exhibition and design collaboration will be inaugurated on 21 September 2023, at the renowned Svenskt Tenn store, located at Strandägen 5, Stockholm.
"Her(e)itage" is an exploration of the cultural and design richness found at the intersection of African and Nordic heritage. This unique collaboration brings together four visionary artists and designers, each with a distinct perspective and a profound connection to their roots. Damien Ajavon, Lincoln Kayiwa, Nkuli Mlangeni-Berg, and Theresa Traore Dahlberg present a collection of bespokeworks exclusively designed for Svenskt Tenn.
”We are very happy to be collaborating with Svenskt Tenn and to be able to shine the spotlight on four Afro-Nordic designers and artists who have drawn inspiration from their African roots. Through this collaboration, they can reach a new audience. Southnord works to build long-term and sustainable relationships that benefit both those we collaborate with and those we represent," says Marcia Harvey Isaksson, founder of Southnord.
These artists draw inspiration from their diverse backgrounds, infusing their creations with stories, craftsmanship, and traditions passed down through generations. "Her(e)itage" is a testament to the power of art and design to bridge cultures and celebrate the beauty of diversity.
The Artists and Designers Behind the Collaboration
Damien Ajavon: an artist known for their evocative textile works. Ndaté Yalla Mbodj, Damien’s great-great-great grandmother was the Queen of the Waalo region in northwest Senegal during the mid-1800s. During her reign she fought against French colonialism and is a revered African heroine on account of her bravery. Damien has interpreted one of the few portraits of their ancestor, using jacquard weaving to bring her to life. In their practice, Damien explores textile making through knotting, braiding, knitting and most recently traditional Manjak weaving; using textile language to unearth and weave connections with their ancestry.
Lincoln Kayiwa: a designer inspired by both his Ugandan roots and his Nordic life. Blending the two in a unique way, he borrows principles and aesthetic elements from the rich cultures and traditions of African and Nordic art, craft and design to make bold, playful, yet fully functional artifacts. For Svenskt Tenn, Lincoln has developed a platter made of upcycled glass in collaboration Nomoda “Cedi” Djaba, a Ghanaian glass artist who learned the trade from his grandfather.
Nkuli Mlangeni-Berg: a textile designer and founder of The Ninevites, a tribute to black aesthetics. Nkuli’s passion for black culture and women’s empowerment inspired her to establish the award-winning collaborative textile design platform, the Ninevites. The bold, geometric patterns are inspired by traditional South African basketry, pottery, murals and beadwork. At the weavery in the Western Cape, local women hand-spin and dye raw wool and mohair before hand-weaving the tactile rugs based on the Ninevites’ designs. Two unique designs have been developed exclusively for Svenskt Tenn.
• Theresa Traore Dahlberg: a filmmaker and visual artist who formulates engaging and complex narratives through installation, sculpture, photography and film. Theresa’s grandmother came from the city of Boubou-Dioulasso in Burkina Faso and was a master storyteller. Inspired by the African folktales of her childhood, as well as by her ongoing collaboration with contemporary bronze casters in Burkina Faso, Theresa has developed a brand-new addition to the Svenskt Tenn family of figurines. This little tortoise doubles up as a candlestick holder, wise and steady.
The exhibition opens on 21 September. Please RSVP here https://hereitage.confetti.events/ if you wish to attend. The exhibition will subsequently be open to the public from 22 September until 18 October 2023, offering art enthusiasts, design aficionados and cultural explorers a unique and inspiring experience.
For further information and interview requests, please contact:
Georgètte Dwomoh-Appiah
Project Coordinator
georgette@southnord.com
+46 72 833 94 33
Or: hello@southnord.com