Southern Guild will present a showcase of metal work by local artist-blacksmith Conrad Hicks at the new Cape Town showroom of luxury Italian kitchen brand Officine Gullo. The exhibition of Hicks’ hand-forged sculpture, tools and furniture will mark the opening of the Florentine company’s first showroom in the country and is held in partnership with the Investec Cape Town Art Fair.

Officine Gullo manufactures purpose-built kitchens and appliances with handcrafted finishes in brass, copper and steel. Beyond the brand’s signature use of metal, its marriage of tradition and technology resonates with Hicks’ own practice.

“We believe in the creative power of collaboration and welcome partnerships which showcase South Africa’s makers, artisans and artists,” said Trevyn McGowan, co-founder of Southern Guild. “Our expanding gallery programme celebrates the ingenuity of the human hand and the labour-intensive processes that elevate the prosaic to the sublime. Hicks’ resolute approach to materiality and craftsmanship aligns with the singular design ethos of Officine Gullo.”

The exhibition runs from 15 February to 14 April, and opens with the showroom launch at which the artist will speak about his work. All of the works on show are available for purchase. Hicks’ work will also be on show at Southern Guild’s booth at the 10th annual ICTAF (17-19 February).