SANTA FE FOLK ART FESTIVAL PART 5: SOUTH AFRICAN ARTISANS

I always find myself so inspired by the African culture. Im not sure if it is their bold use of color, their insane prints or the radiance of their smiles that always gets me.  I guess it must be all of the above! At the festival, I found myself attracted to most of the South African art and that is the majority of what I ended up buying. The artisans that I met were amazing and I was so impressed by their skills as well as their vision for their art. My encounters with them made my call to visit Africa ring stronger than ever before.  Take a look at some of my favorite artisans work below.

Emily and I and my favorite artisan at the festival, Nomvuselelo from South Africa

Her art was made from telephone wire in the most amazing combinations of colors.

I was so impressed with her sense of color the combinations are so modern.

Shes so cute

One of my favorite pieces of hers

Another favorite…

She’s so darn cute, look at that smile!

She also made these amazing colored cuffs with the freshest combinations. I bought one!

There was a huge assortment of beadwork from South Africa and Kenya at the festival.  I was lucky enough to have my sister bring me some amazing pieces from the Masai tribe in Kenya when she visited last year. Take a look at some of the amazing beadwork that I saw from a group of South African artists.

Amazing Masai collar

This breastplate was so AMAZING! I would have been all over buying it but it was priced at $1900

The lady below was amazing as well and her work and color combos were just as inspiring.  As was her outfit!

A queen for sure. Her native dress was so inspiring.

I was hoping to score some of these beaded sneakers, but nobody was making any. How cute are they?

Really loved this pink tray. Had a Native American combined with African feel.

Just loved how modern these pieces feel. I regret that I didn’t buy one!

Pottery and baskets were a popular item from the African artisans, but the lady’s work below made from mud were some of the most beautiful shapes.  Each were so detailed and felt very tribal and modern at the same time.  I could picture these pieces in a variety of high end design stores.

Many of the artists were sitting at their booth creating their craft right in front of you to show how the process goes. This was fascinating.

One of my favorites of hers. Look at the small rivets that she formed..amazing.

Another beautiful piece by this artisan. Love!

And here is a shot of me with a few of my purchases:  a green wired cuff, a colorful bowl and a bunch of horsehair flowers from Chile.  And on my left wrist is one of the Masai beaded cuffs my sister brought me back from Kenya last year.

Umm, do you think I like color and am inspired by Africa?  I think this picture gives it away…