I aspire to change the world’s perception of African design while exploring contemporary forms. I want to make sure the canon changes.
JOMO TARIKU
Over the past few years, Jomo Tariku‘s work has gained considerable attention, and he was even approached by the creators of the 2022 Marvel film Wakanda Forever to incorporate his Afrofuturistic furniture into the pan-African set design of the movie. This was an incredible honor for Tariku, who never imagined his work would be featured in such a high-profile project.
The Mido Chair is a unique piece of furniture that pays homage to the rich history of African objects and traditions. Jomo Tariku, the furniture designer, has infused the iconic Afro comb, which has been an essential daily companion to people’s lives for thousands of years, into the ceremonial seat that symbolises leadership, unity, and kinship in African culture. The chair’s ash black design with orange edge trim captures the intangible attributes of beauty, status, and dynamism that the Afro comb represents, from the Black Power and Black is Beautiful movements to the rites of passage into adulthood in many African cultures.
The Mukecha table is Jomo’s modern take on the traditional African mortars used for grinding staple crops. The design is crafted from durable local wood and features concentric orange rings, reminiscent of the neck rings found on bronze busts from The Kingdom of Benin.
Traditionally, the heavy mortar and pestle were used for flour preparation in a laborious process accompanied by singing, with women often bearing the burden. The Mukecha design pays homage to this tradition while bringing a contemporary flair to a functional piece of furniture.
