The works featured in Design Made in Africa result from the fusing of traditional techniques with modern materials. Many are simple, minimalist designs purposely removed from most obvious cultural references. Others are based on designers’ observations about how objects are used in daily life: for example, how people gather to eat a meal, or how furnishings serve many purposes at once. While these designs draw on African materials and cultural practices, as well as the ideas of many African and Western artists working in Africa today, they are not traditional in the sense of being a continuation of forms that could be associated with particular cultural styles. The approach of all these contemporary designers is very much of the moment—they are exploring the potential of the African continent as a place where modern design is flourishing and adapting to the lifestyles of people today. 

Design: Made in Africa has been supported by the Cultural Services of the French embassy in the US, American Express, HIP Health Plan of New York, with additional support from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.