In a touching tribute to his late mother and an ingenious response to the growing issue of industrial waste in Burkina Faso, multidisciplinary artist and designer Hamed Ouattara has introduced his latest creation – the Bolibana collection.
This collection of limited-edition metal furniture reflects his remarkable journey, from an accounting student to a design visionary, whose work seeks to transform discarded materials into functional pieces of art. The word ‘Bolibana’ carries the profound meaning of ‘the unusual end of a journey’ or ‘a transformation’ in the Bamana language of West Africa, encapsulating the essence of his work.
The Bolibana collection, named after its profound meaning, comprises metal cabinets and cupboards that represent potential embodiments of African culture and heritage. The collection includes:
1. Afrikya – representing Africa
Material Used: Engine oil drums, sheet metal
Size: 33.5 x 55.25 x 15.75 inches, 85 x 140 x 40 cm
2. Djeli – encapsulating the spirit of a traditional West African storyteller who imparts oral traditions
Material Used: Engine oil drums, sheet metal
Size: 47.25 X 55.25 X 19.75 inches, 120 x 140 x 50 cm
3. Budu – signifying ethnicity.
Material Used: Engine oil drums, sheet metal
Size: 47.75 X 47.74 X 17.75 inches, 121 x 121 x 45 cm
4. Ancestors
Material Used: Engine oil drums, sheet metal
Size: 61.5 x 39.5 x 15.75 inches, 156 x 100 x 40 cm
5. Dioulassoba – Dioula’s Town
Material Used: Engine oil drums, sheet metal
Size: 71.75 x 60.75 x 19.75 inches, 182 x 154 x 50 cm
These rugged and soulful pieces are a testament to Ouattara’s dual approach to design: repurposing industrial debris resulting from Burkina Faso’s industrialization and revitalizing traditional craftsmanship. It’s a noteworthy feat in an environment where resources and accessibility are constrained, as crucial components like hinges, nails, and tools are meticulously produced within the studio.
The designs also draw inspiration from Sudano-Sahelian architecture, characterized by mudbricks, adobe plaster, and palm wood sticks protruding from the main earthen body of a building. The Bolibana collection mirrors this tradition, with large metal spikes adorning some of the cabinets, paying tribute to the wooden sticks that play a significant role in the architecture.
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