Work by ceramic artists Andile Dyalvane and Zizipho Poswa are part of a special exhibition at SaloneSatellite, currently taking place during Salone del Mobile.Milano 2026.

Curated by Decorex African Executive Creative Directors Garreth van Niekerk and Alan Hayward, the South African presentation forms part of Skilled Craftsmanship + Innovation / Maestria artigiana + Innovazione, a global photography exhibition bringing together contemporary craft works from countries across five continents.

The selection presents a compelling view of South African making today, spanning ceramic, beadwork, weaving, textile practice and studio-based object making. Featured works by other artists include Thabisa Mjo for Mash.T Design Studio, Frances v.H Mohair, The Keiskamma Art Project with Clout/SA, Ardmore Ceramic Art, Phumla Mramba for Monkeybiz, Jade Paton and DEFT Studios.

"At the heart of the presentation is a belief that craft is not peripheral to contemporary design, but one of its most vital forms: shaped by memory, material intelligence, cultural knowledge and authorship," explains the curatorial team.

The exhibition also celebrates the photographers who help shape how craft is seen and remembered, with image-makers including Inge Prins and Frances Marais, among others, bringing these works into view with remarkable sensitivity.

SaloneSatellite takes place from 21–26 April 2026.

ABOUT THE WORKS

Poswa's Vuyelwa (2020) forms part of her ongoing Umthwalo body of work, a series of mainly large-scale, totemic sculptures honouring the load carried by Xhosa women and the practice of ‘umthwalo’ (meaning load in Xhosa), whereby heavy items are carried on the head, often for long distances. This work was acquired by the LOEWE Foundation.

Dyalvane's piece iSilawu (Purifying Herb), forms part of his most ground-breaking collection to date: iThongo (Dreamscape). This extensive series of sculptural ceramic seating premiered in the artist’s rural community in Ngobozana (Eastern Cape, South Africa) before being exhibited at Southern Guild Cape Town (2020) and Friedman Benda in New York (2021). The title refers to the medium through which the ancestors’ messages are transmitted and is based on an extensive vocabulary of glyphs the artist designed to denote important concepts in Xhosa life.

This work pays homage to the importance of the protective herb of the home. It is usually orally ingested by family members accompanied by vocalised intentional calls for guidance and protection, and is an important aspect for the well-being of family.