"There are two main reasons that people collect things: to build their unique identity and to preserve history." – Isabelle Adams, The Journal of Intersectionality
A collection is more than just an assembly of artworks, but a reflection of who you are and the legacy you’re building. Incorporating design objects can add layers of depth and narrative to a collection.
Design objects—functional yet sculptural pieces—blur the line between art and everyday life. These pieces offer new dimensions to a collection, reflecting culture, craftsmanship, and modern design trends. From Samuel Ross’ brutalist-inspired designs to Zizipho Poswa’s sculptural ceramics, design objects allow collectors to embrace multiple art forms while preserving cultural histories.
Why Collect Design Objects?
Broaden Your Identity: Each design object you acquire adds a new chapter to your collection’s story, showcasing your appreciation for different forms of creativity.
Cultural Preservation: Many contemporary design artists, such as Ini Archibong or Stephen Burks, use their work to reflect and preserve their cultural roots. By collecting their work, you become a part of that preservation effort.
We’ve highlighted several contemporary designers whose works blend function, form, and cultural storytelling.
Samuel Ross
Samuel Ross’ work blends brutalist architecture and utilitarian design. His work has been exhibited at Friedman Benda, New York (2021), Galerie Kreo, Paris (2021), and Design Miami/ Basel (2022) gaining attention for its conceptual take on industrial materials and social themes. He was also featured in Milan Design Week (2021) and included in The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago collection. He’s collaborated with Apple, LVMH, Nike. Ross’ background in fashion, particularly with his label A-COLD-WALL*, informs his approach to design objects. He has founded the Black British Artists Grants Programme.
Zizipho Poswa
Zizipho Poswa's Magodi series (2022) draws inspiration from traditional African hairstyles, encapsulating themes of African femininity and cultural identity through large-scale ceramic sculptures. Her solo exhibition at Southern Guild in Cape Town in 2022, titled “iLobola,” placed her work on the global stage, and her pieces were showcased at Design Miami in 2021. Poswa’s work is now part of private collections, as well as prominent institutions such as the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and the National Gallery of Victoria. Poswa has collaborated with The National Treasury of South Africa. To hear Poswa discuss her creative journey and the inspiration behind her work, watch her interview on the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Perspectives series here.
Ini Archibong
“Every morning before I design anything, I read a spiritual excerpt of some sort,” says Ini Archibong. Archibong merges modern design with mythology. His work was featured in a solo exhibition at Galerie Kreo in Paris in 2020, earning him recognition for his refined, narrative-driven design style. His pieces were also showcased at Design Miami/ Basel in 2021 and The Atlas Dining Chair, created as part of Sé Collection IV was acquired by The Met Museum for its permanent collection in 2021. Archibong designed the Galop d’Hermès watch in 2019, marking a major collaboration with the French luxury brand Hermès. The watch's design was inspired by equestrian motifs and has become a key addition to Hermès' timepiece collection. Learn more about this collaboration in Artnet News.
Andile Dyalvane
To give a creative shape to the intricately tied ideas of mother earth and home is the art practice of the ceramic artist, Andile Dyalvane. His iThongo series (2020), composed of sculptural ceramic seats, draws from African spiritual traditions and ancestral knowledge. His work has been exhibited at Southern Guild, Cape Town (2021), The Armory Show, New York (2021, 2024), and Friedman Benda(2021), New York. His pieces are included in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The British Museum, and Iziko South African National Gallery collections.
