At design Miami/Basel 2018, South African artist porky Hefer is presenting a series of sculptural seating pods depicting endangered species made from eco-friendly and recycled materials. An oversized orangutan, polar bear, sloth, blue whale, and great white shark make use of traditional handmade techniques that shift focus away from machinery and evoke an innocent, open-hearted awe. ‘I think it’s important to show what beauty humans are capable of with their hands rather than the destructive mass production that technology is driving the modern consumerist society towards,’ Hefer says.
All images courtesy southern guild and SFA advisory /photos by Antonia Steyn
Each pod was made using environmentally sustainable materials hand-worked by artisans in Cape Town. Hefer worked closely with textile artist Ronel Jordaan and craft collectives Heart Works and Mielie to translate the creatures into giant, tactile sculptures. The animal’s surfaces have been crocheted, felted, stitched and embroidered with unique embellishments.
Presented by SFA advisory and Southern guild, the works produced for the ‘endangered’ series will be available for sale in a limited edition of three per animal, with 25% of the sales proceeds supporting Leonardo Dicaprio foundation’s wildlife conservation programs. ‘It’s the future of the next generation that I am concerned about and the state of the world they inherit. Looking after our animals and earth is one thing but also the preservation of human skills, crafts and traditions,’ Hefer concludes.
