Charitable art initiative Design For Peace started in the summer of 2015 when Afrika Tiss teamed up with the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), aiming to help Malian refugees in Burkina Faso. Designer Nathalie Jacqualt recently got on board and the result is ‘Transhumance’, a rousing new design exhibit currently showing at the Galerie Made In Town, following a brief display in Ouagadougou.
Over a period of 50 days, the refugees have worked closely together with a team of young French designers to create objects inspired by the nomadic culture and history of various Touareg communities. The items – spanning things like jewellery, chic fringed bags, leather works, bronze trays and a torch made from natural fibres – explore themes of voyage and exile and go right to the core of the beautiful yet brutal landscapes the refugees have recently fled.
If you’re feeling inspired, you can help keep the project going by making a pledge on crowdfunding platform KissKissBankBank here.
TRANSLATION: FLORA HUDSON