Up in the air: Porky Hefer brings a touch of lightness to New York
South African designer Porky Hefer is nothing if not upbeat about wanting people to live on a lighter note by drawing them closer to nature’s intrinsic beauty. His nests require visitors to take a step back from the everyday and contemplate nature’s gifts, albeit through the cutouts of his animal-shaped works.
Hefer’s first solo exhibition at New York gallery R & Company takes a detour by tackling a serious subject. Titled 'Heart of Lightness' – a play on Joseph Conrad’s classic Heart of Darkness – the exhibition of new works asks the audience to counter the book’s grim tale of colonialism and race by using Hefer's creations as a retreat to analyse and rethink their view of humanity.
A series of seven striking sculptural pieces are arranged around the main floor. Eschewing technology – 'it evolves too quickly to be of practical use' – Hefer hires artisans from the Cape Town Society for the Blind, a point of pride for the artist who wants to protect the skills of the indigenous crafts industry. Rattan and raffia are woven and stitched, while different fibers are spliced together and wrapped around a steel framework; one creation, Shell Seating, is speckled in Nguni cowhide.
Hefer's works recall South Africa’s past, the earthy materials creating a stark contrast to the brightly coloured walls, which the artist says were inspired by pop art and Memphis design movements.
INFORMATION
’Heart of Lightness’ is on view until 23 February. For more information, visit the R & Company website
ADDRESS
R & Company
82 Franklin St
New York, NY 10013
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
-
Maude’s Brâncuși-inspired sex toys go on display in a new Paris exhibition
Maude’s design-led vibrators are now on display at Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, as part of ‘Private Lives: From the Bedroom to Social Media’. Brand founder Éva Goicochea talks to Wallpaper* about partnering with the museum and opening up cultural conversations around sex
By India Birgitta Jarvis Published
-
‘I was captivated by the idea of merging two iconic brands’: Nigo on his collaboration with Moncler and Mercedes-Benz, which features a 1990s-inspired riff on the G-Wagon
Unveiled at Moncler’s ‘The City of Genius’ event in Shanghai this past weekend, Japanese fashion designer Nigo unpacks his three-way collaboration with Moncler and Mercedes-Benz, which includes a play on the G-Class alongside a fashion collection in his eclectic style
By Jack Moss Published
-
Cathay Pacific’s new business class Aria Suites take flight
Cathay Pacific raises the bar for business-class travel with the launch of the much-anticipated Aria Suites
By Lauren Ho Published
-
Nendo’s collaborations with Kyoto artisans go on view in New York
‘Nendo sees Kyoto’ is on view at Friedman Benda (until 15 October 2022), showcasing the design studio's collaboration with six artisans specialised in ancient Japanese crafts
By Pei-Ru Keh Last updated
-
Italian craftsmanship comes to Los Angeles in this eclectic Venice Canals apartment
Boffi Los Angeles celebrates a juxtaposition of texture throughout a waterside bolthole
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
Design Miami/Basel 2022 explores the Golden Age
Design Miami/Basel 2022, led by curatorial director Maria Cristina Didero, offers a positive spin after the unprecedented times of the pandemic, and looks at the history and spirit of design
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
Kvadrat’s flagship New York showrooms encompass colourful design codes
Industrial designer Jonathan Olivares and architect Vincent Van Duysen have worked with Danish textile brand Kvadrat on the vast new space, also featuring furniture by Moroso
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
What to see at New York Design Week 2022
Discover Wallpaper’s highlights from New York Design Week 2022 (10 – 20 May 2022): the fairs, exhibitions and design openings to discover
By Pei-Ru Keh Last updated
-
Colour defines LA ceramics studio and showroom of Bari Ziperstein
Step inside the multifunctional ceramics studio, office and showroom of designer and artist Bari Ziperstein, designed by local firm Foss Hildreth
By Pei-Ru Keh Last updated
-
Design for Ukraine: Bocci and Design Miami join forces to raise funds
The online sale of iconic Bocci pieces will benefit GlobalGiving’s Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund, providing urgently needed humanitarian aid
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
Designer Marcin Rusak rallies international creatives to raise funds for Ukraine
Raising funds for Poland’s Fundacja Ocalenie, Warsaw-based designer Marcin Rusak is making the most of Instagram’s immediacy, auctioning original pieces donated by international designers
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated