The invited creatives got to engage with the textile medium, often far removed from their usual practices. The result is a series of original works that go beyond the simple transposition of imagery onto a surface. Instead, they arise from a profound dialogue with materials, techniques, and modes of production. The carpet thus becomes an expansive field of enquiry, where form and matter intertwine to produce singular, collectible objects.

The exhibition not only reaffirmed the significance of collectible design, but also prompted a broader reflection: when art and design converge, objects shed their original function to assume a new cultural identity. In this light, the rug is fully emancipated, becoming sculpture, textile architecture, and visual narrative. A compelling testament to how contemporary practice now thrives within the fluid space between disciplines.

Woven Forms II emerges as a compelling exploration of the evolving relationship between art, craft, and design, situating textile practice at the forefront of contemporary experimentation.

MORE ABOUT THE FEATURED WORKS BY SOUTHERN GUILD ARTISTS

Zizipho Poswa - uNomnyamazana (Black Princess)

This project is rooted in the concept behind Poswa’s 2023 solo exhibition at Southern Guild Cape Town, uBuhle boKhokho (Beauty of Our Ancestors). This collection of ceramic and bronze sculptures celebrates the sacred, transgenerational power of traditional African hairstyling. Poswa expanded on the same desire that propelled the exhibition’s making: this woven, sculptural work gives material form to the rich, enduring cultural symbolism of African hair and hairstyling.

The carpet is interactive – it offers a warm invitation to sit, rest, be among others and take part in the meditative and ancient practice of hair-braiding. “I wanted the carpet to recreate the sense of community and sisterhood that I – and so many other women across the continent – have experienced in hair salons and in their own homes,” explains Poswa. “This project has acted as another medium for me to share, canonise and preserve an aspect of my personal heritage that is deeply meaningful to me.”

uNomnyamazana refers to children that are born with a darker skin tone than others - a term of endearment that affirms the beauty and power of their highly-melanated skin. It is a common term used in many families and African communities.

Rich Mnisi - Rienda ri Tsariwile (The Journey is Written)

For Woven Forms II, Mnisi translates his visual language into a sculptural tapestry - Rienda ri Tsariwile (The Journey is Written).

“This rug is a deeply personal creation,” explains Mnisi. “Every line and curve of the multicoloured snakes is a reflection of my journey: of the mountains I’ve climbed, the battles I’ve endured and the transformations that have shaped me.”

The snake has been a recurring motif and source of inspiration for Mnisi since 2021 – the ancient symbol of rebirth and healing; always shedding, always renewing. “Each snake in the rug is a reminder of my own resilience and of those moments when I didn’t think I could rise, but I found the strength to do so,” he continues. “I wanted this piece to feel alive, like a landscape in which you could get lost.”

The serpents winds through one another, coiling and converging, mapping a living landscape shaped by endurance and transformation – and what is created is intertwined undulations of vibrant colour and movement. Mnisi intended it to be not just an artwork, but an experience too – a journey through layers of hardship, renewal and growth. A quiet reminder that even in our darkest depths, there lies the promise of regeneration and becoming. “It’s a story you don’t just see—you move through it,” he says.