Ever since this trip to the Rose Bowl Flea, I have been on the look out for African and African-inspired finds.
I came home that day from the market with a beautiful piece of indigo from Mali—and even though I bargained the seller down, I recently found even more affordable ones on eBay. Dangit. So I’ve started a new collection on eBay called Mama Africa to keep track of all of my favorite finds from all over African. You can follow my collections here , follow me or start your own collections too. Which continent has been inspiring you lately?
*My eBay Collections are curated as part of my collaboration with eBay #FollowItFindIt
Hi Justina! Love this post! I am living in Senegal, West Africa, (originally from LA) and am completely enamored with African textiles and home decor! Your ebay shop looks like you are on the right track so far curating the best of the best from the region. I will definitely check out the book you mention as well. Can’t wait to see what you come up with if you incorporate some of these pieces into your home!
Hi Justina,
I remember that you had a big discussion on this blog about the word ethnical. If I am not mistaken, the undertone was that this word is so difficult because it generalizes the heritage of the piece described and therefore makes the artist, the crafter invisible.
I feel that the same is true for these items you describe as African. Africa is the second largest continent, regarding the area as well as the amount of people living there. There are approximately 2000 languages spoken in Africa which indicates at least that many different cultures.
I don’t mean to offend you, I really know what you mean by African vibe and I very much like it too. I just think that you are sensitive to this topic so I’d like to address it.
Hey. Thank you for bringing this up. I think you make a good point here. I do think this is a bit different from using the word ‘ethnic’ because ethnic implies ‘otherness’ — but that having been said I *am* generalizing here a huge and diverse continent, which, as you pointed out, is rich with many different languages and cultures. What word or words would you use to describe an image which includes Senufo pieces, pieces from Mali,mud cloth–and other beautiful items that hail from the African continent?
Yeah, that is difficult. Maybe instead of “for African … finds”: “for finds from all over Africa”. For me this indicates more that Africa is a huge continent and not just one spot on the globe. Also, on your ebay collection as far as I can see you always carefully refer to where the piece comes from. Maybe if you recognize one or two pieces from a certain area in a picture you could especially mention them? That would indicate the cultural diversity of the pieces.
Thank you though for taking this topic serious. I mean you don’t say anything wrong and you could easily call me overly sensitive. But I think especially breaking subtle patterns is important in order to change bigger structural problems.
I agree! Thanks for the constructive feedback!
I feel fortunate to have parents that loved mid-century furniture, and former in-laws that traveled to Ghana and appreciated African art, so my home includes wonderful pieces from both sides of the family. It’s a perfect marriage of style, especially since African art influenced so many European artists in the early 20th century and beyond.
Style with spiritual integrity transcends time and place. Thank you for being a messenger. XXOO
Hey gorgeous lady!
So super excited about your book xxx
You may already have it but if not thought you may interested in this baby… it is awesome!!!
excuse the shameful blog link, but i think you will like the piccies xx
http://frommoontomoon.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/inspiring-bookssouth-africa-private.html
oh ya. I know that one…so so so good. xoxo!!