Design Indaba Expo 2013 saw the fifth collection designed by a variety of talented craft producers and designer makers working with The Cape Craft & Design Institute (CCDI) to reveal the finest in Cape inspired handmade craftwork.
The Expo featured 82 pieces created by 60 designers selected by a CCDI curator panel. Covering ceramics, wirework, beadwork, basketware, textiles, jewellery, metalware, wood and upcycled waste, the collection was a true reflection of the diverse skills and talent seen in local craftspeople and their work.
Taking inspiration from the unique floral and marine life of the Western Cape, craftsmen designed unique pieces including a wire work of a woman buffeted by the strong South Easter wind, a carved West Coast bird perched on a bundle of Atlantic kelp and a ceramic Newlands brewery bottle top.
The collection in all its beauty aimed to surpass only aesthetic appeal and highlighted the struggles facing many people in South Africa today. The darker underbelly of Cape Town, with violence against women and children, was portrayed through the art of embroidery, lace and crochet producing a fine metal curtain designed to inspire people to unite, protect victims and stand up against domestic violence.
"In line with the World Design Capital 2014’s slogan of 'Live Design. Transform Life', such handmade products show that design can make the world more beautiful," says CCDI Communications Manager Marjorie Naidoo.
The collection proved to be a true source of inspiration for uniting local craftspeople and designers in preserving the beauty of South Africa and making it a safer place for all.
