From the Series
Local non-profit beading initiative Monkeybiz struck an exciting deal with UK furniture retail company Made.com.
In August 2010 Made.com approached Monkeybiz to create a piece of art that could be made to work in the Northern Hemisphere. The top five students from the Chelsea College of Art were selected to work with the crafters from Monkeybiz to create four wall panels, comprising five individual panels in each.
A decision was jointly made that the designs would be graphic, rather than illustrative. So the project was called "Monkeybiz Has Gone Graphic". The crafters worked from storyboards and were so excited about the project that they couldn’t work fast enough, says Joan Krupp, Monkeybiz’s customer relations manager.
Upon completion the panels were sent to the UK where they were judged in a competition. The winning boards were those of crafters Phumla Mramba, Fundiswa Kupa, Noloyiso Maphakathi, Nozukiso Ngalo, Noxolo Majingo and Weziwe Maxilana. The judges are said to have been particularly impressed with the use of colour and how well the design concept was interpreted.
The winning designs will be sold on Made.com and the proceeds will benefit both Monkeybiz and the students.
