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Black patent leather shoes and wide-leg pants stand on a deep red carpet, conveying a sense of elegance and sophistication.

South African Craft Pavilion at SaloneSatellite, Salone del Mobile.Milano

Resume

Year

2026

Client

Salone del Mobile.Milano

Project

Exhibition

Categories

Exhibition concept and curatorial direction Selection and sequencing of 10 South African makers All wall texts, captions and public-facing language Photography direction and image selection Conception of the presentation as a photographic exhibition Positioning of South African craft within the international design conversation Press release and communications strategy Coordination with SaloneSatellite organising team

Credits

Marva Griffin Wilshire — SaloneSatellite founder and curator SaloneSatellite — 27th edition, Skilled Craftsmanship + Innovation pavilion Salone del Mobile.Milano Featured craftspeople: Zizipho Poswa Andile Dyalvane Thabisa Mjo (Mash.T Design Studio) Frances van Hasselt (Frances v.H Mohair) The Keiskamma Art Project with Clout/SA Ardmore Ceramic Art Phumla Mramba (Monkeybiz) Jade Paton DEFT Studios Inge Prins (photographer) Frances Marais (photographer)

A curated photographic exhibition placing South African craft at the centre of the global design conversation at Salone del Mobile.Milano 2026 — the world's most influential design platform. Forming part of SaloneSatellite's Skilled Craftsmanship + Innovation pavilion, the presentation brought together ten leading South African makers across ceramic, beadwork, weaving, textile and studio-based object making — showing a field rooted in place and fully part of the global design conversation.

Input

South African craft and design with no presence at the world's most important design fair. An invitation from SaloneSatellite to participate in its Skilled Craftsmanship + Innovation pavilion as one of the featured national presentations across five continents.

Output

South Africa's first focused national presentation at SaloneSatellite. Ten makers across ceramic, beadwork, weaving, textile and studio object making. Works by Zizipho Poswa, Andile Dyalvane, Thabisa Mjo and others presented within a photographic framework that allowed craft to travel not only as object but as image, story and cultural record. Coverage in Times Live, Wanted Magazine and international design press.

Two men in dress shirts stand against a striped background. One adjusts his tie, both look thoughtful and focused, conveying a professional tone.
Two men in dress shirts stand against a striped background. One adjusts his tie, both look thoughtful and focused, conveying a professional tone.
A young man in a white shirt and tie sits on the floor, surrounded by scattered papers. He looks down at a document, appearing focused and pensive.
Young man in a formal outfit with a striped shirt, grey tie, and black coat. The tone is serious and professional, emphasizing subdued elegance.

As curators, we wanted to present a selection that shows the range and seriousness of South African craft today. These are works shaped by skill, memory, collaboration and deep material knowledge. What links them is not a single aesthetic, but a shared sense of authorship and intent. Together, they show a field that is rooted in place, yet fully part of the global design conversation."

As curators, we wanted to present a selection that shows the range and seriousness of South African craft today. These are works shaped by skill, memory, collaboration and deep material knowledge. What links them is not a single aesthetic, but a shared sense of authorship and intent. Together, they show a field that is rooted in place, yet fully part of the global design conversation."

Alan Hayward & Garreth van Niekerk

Curators

Man in a white shirt reclines in a chair on a red carpet, talking on the phone. Scattered papers surround him, conveying stress or disarray.
Man in a white shirt reclines in a chair on a red carpet, talking on the phone. Scattered papers surround him, conveying stress or disarray.
A person in business attire lies amidst scattered papers and folders on a red carpet, holding a phone receiver. The scene conveys chaos and stress.
A person in business attire lies amidst scattered papers and folders on a red carpet, holding a phone receiver. The scene conveys chaos and stress.
A man in a grey shirt sits in a dim office, gazing seriously at a computer screen. Blinds and office supplies create a focused and professional atmosphere.
Person in a dark shirton a phone call, seated at a desk with papers, exudes a thoughtful, focused demeanor. Background shows dark horizontal blinds.

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