A leader in modern African design, Jomo Tariku, explores the continent’s cultural heritage at Wexler Gallery.
The Nyala chair is featured in two movies (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Megalopolis by Francis Ford Coppola).
Every modern design has a story to tell, rooted in inspiration. However, many stories go untold—especially African and Black cultural influences, which Western designers historically reinterpret or dub as “primitive art.” Ethiopian American artist and designer Jomo Tariku aims to celebrate the source of his bespoke designs—from chairs to wallpaper and wardrobes— through a new exhibit, Juxtaposed: A portal to African Design. Open Oct. 10 to Dec. 20 at Wexler Gallery (wexlergallery.com), the exhibit will display the artist’s works with the artifacts and objects that inspired them. Here, Tariku offers an insider look into the upcoming show.
What was the inspiration for the exhibit?
This design journey began years ago as a thesis proposal. I noticed the lack of African-centered modern design language in Western institutions, publications and generally in what is considered the design canon. Juxtaposed and the installation design attempts to marry both my design and the inspirational materials next to each other in a way that reveres and sets them above each of the works.
The Meedo bench
What do you hope visitors take from the exhibit?
One is that Africa is a source of bountiful ideas and more exploration should be done by creatives, while giving attribution to our source. The other is how to elevate and celebrate the past and the present, while building and passing on the torch to the next generation.
How does the exhibit celebrate the past and the present?
My work is partially based on the art and craft from a long tradition of makers from Africa who either make them for religious functions or utilitarian purposes around the home, but are beautifully made at the same time.
How does the exhibit help to develop a new creative language based on Black culture?
I am not the first Black designer to be inspired by various things from the continent of Africa, but what makes this curated presentation unique is how we are venerating the inspirational objects by actually displaying each one above most of my work.
The Kundung Pembe chair.
Which piece in the exhibit do you love or connect with the most?
I always tend to fall back on the Nyala chair and, recently, my Birth chair series. The Nyala has been published in many magazines, collected by world-renowned museums, is in the home of Vice President Kamala Harris and is featured in two movies.
Photography by: BEN EDWARDS; COURTESY OF WEXLER GALLERY
