Collab and Techné Welcome Jomo Tariku to the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Jomo Demonstration. Photo credit Lindsay Bedford
In the summer of 2022, Collab and Techné - the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s International Craft affinity group - joined together to host Ethiopian American artist and industrial designer Jomo Tariku for a conversation to learn more about his craft and his approach to design. They also celebrated an exciting new acquisition soon coming to the museum.
As a young boy growing up in Ethiopia, Tariku was drawn to the art, souvenirs, and furniture pieces his father collected during his travels throughout Africa and around the world. This early experience shaped his creative practice and desire to celebrate the cultural richness of Africa by crafting beautifully poetic designs that draw from his heritage in innovative ways. Tariku’s designs find nuanced ways to “speak” to his own experience of Africa’s diverse cultures, historical structures, architecture, traditional furniture, colors, artifacts, wildlife, hairstyles, and more.
Jomo Sketches. Photo credit Lindsay Bedford
During his visit, Tariku shared why his designs have special meaning to him and why he does not view them as just objects. Every piece goes through a rigorous thought process to create and refine fully realized objects with every detail taken into consideration.
The evening was finished with a “meet and greet” with the artist, and a demonstration showing how the pieces of Tariku’s Boraatii Stool/End Table are joined together. This stool was inspired by the headrest design found in the Oromia region of Ethiopia, which is used to protect the elaborate hair weave/style while asleep.
Chairs. Photo credit Lindsay Bedford
Also on display was the Nyala Chair, inspired by the shy and elusive mountain antelope from the Bale Mountains of East Africa, and the MeQuamya Chair, inspired by the T-shaped prayer staff used during long meditation and religious procession in Ethiopian Orthodox Churches.
