Bench Mark

A convergence of the skills and stories of three local design forces, the Hlabisa bench elevates craftto collector status

- Julia Freemantle

People talk about the power of collaboration, and its ability to bring forth newness and innovation. But in their recent joint venture, woodworking specialists Houtlander, interior designer Thabisa Mjo and master weaver Beauty Ngxongo delved into African heritage to create something that combines the traditional and the contemporary in the form of the remarkable Hlabisa bench.

After being asked by the curator of Révélations fine craft and creation fair in Paris to participate at this year’s event, Mjo of Mash T Design Studio approached Houtlander to team up on a curvilinear bench, similar in style to the Houtlander bench voted 2019’s Most Beautiful Object in South Africa, but woven with a delicately patterned basketry backrest by Ngxongo.