| African home decor is more accessible than ever, and | | | | protect the wood. The result is a unique, eco-friendly |
| globalization has increased interest beyond that of a | | | | home accent for decoration or display. |
| trend. African arts maintain a history and quality that | | | | Similarly, artists working in an informal settlement just |
| cannot be replicated through modern means of mass | | | | outside of Cape Town are transforming recycled tea |
| production. Today, African home decor ranges from | | | | bags into small canvases on which they create |
| traditional ethnic arts to more contemporary designs. | | | | unusual pieces of art. The recycled art they create |
| And, a significant amount of African decor is created | | | | now provides economical opportunities for 125 people |
| from natural or recycled materials. Authentic African | | | | in South Africa. |
| home decor and accents reflect established principles | | | | Social Awareness and Sustainability |
| that are gaining resurgence in today's culture of social | | | | African home decor and accessories that are |
| awareness. | | | | produced according to fair trade standards are |
| Natural Elements with Bold Colors | | | | sustainable as well as eco-friendly, characteristics that |
| Traditional African arts, such as basket weaving, | | | | resonate with us in our current culture of social |
| often combine natural elements with bold, vibrant | | | | awareness. With technology narrowing the |
| colors. For instance, African coil baskets are often | | | | geographical gap of distant countries, we are |
| made using raffia, a material indigenous to the area, | | | | exposed to and inspired by African artists who |
| and are dyed using colors from berries or vegetables. | | | | maintain their cultural heritage through traditional |
| Colors can range from bright hues of orange, red, | | | | handicrafts, especially when many live in the midst of |
| and turquoise to darker shades of burnt orange and | | | | severe economic uncertainty. |
| burgundy. | | | | Fair trade practices and payment allow these artists |
| African baskets include designs that vary from | | | | to maintain their heritage and art forms, while also |
| traditional, symbolic patterns to more modern and | | | | being able to create economic opportunities for their |
| contemporary designs. Often times you will see | | | | families and their communities. |
| these vivid colors integrated with the neutral color of | | | | In today's culture of social awareness, we appreciate |
| the natural fibers, creating a wide variety of colorful | | | | natural elements. We actively pursue eco-friendly, |
| designs and patterns for functional or decorative use. | | | | sustainable designs in our homes. Interestingly |
| Reclaimed, Reused, and Recycled | | | | enough, all of these characteristics are inherent to |
| In addition to natural materials, African home decor | | | | African arts, both in the present and the past. African |
| and accents may also be made of reclaimed or | | | | home decor is not a passing trend, but rather a |
| recycled materials. African arts often integrate | | | | reflection of established principles that are gaining |
| reclaimed metal, reclaimed wood, or other recycled | | | | resurgence in today's culture of social awareness. |
| materials into innovative art forms. For example, | | | | Copyright 2009 © Amy L. Milligan, bluedango |
| herdsmen working on the Kahero Farm in the Great | | | | This article may be freely published. Permission to |
| Rift Valley, Kenya, are known for their reclaimed | | | | publish this article, electronically or in print, as long as |
| wood carvings. Their handmade wooden bowls are | | | | the byline is included with a live link, and the article is |
| created using rustic handcrafted tools, machetes, and | | | | not changed in any way (grammatical corrections |
| chisels. Each is finished using broken glass bottles and | | | | accepted). |
| sand paper, followed by a liquid paraffin dip to | | | | |