New Recycled Design Collection by Hamed Ouattara

"Art has a role to play in the development of Africa" attests Hamed Ouattara, "and my work reflects this conviction." Hamed's designs pay homage to his cultural ties, re-interpreting traditional patherning and highlighting Burkina Faso's artisanal metal-working heritage, addressing a modern global audience through African innovation. Studio Hamed Ouattara, situated in the heart of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso's energetic capital, is led by self-taught artist and designer Hamed Ouattara. Resulting from a reaction to his immediate African environment, where oil barrils in popping primary colours are discarted after use, his design transgress continental borders, garnering praise by international galleries, with purchases by important collectors around the world. These disused oil barrils - hammered, shaped and repurposed by hand - offer a distinct aesthetic to his work, which turns the salvaged metal to a functional, artistic homeware product, be it a collectible-edition chair or furniture. "Through recycling, I'm able to offer a truly local, innovative response to waste products made from scarce resources in our region" he explains. Hamed's minimalist philosphy results in limited stamped edition pieces that have each been nurtured by his craftmanship. Working in a country where constant power outages are the norm, and equipment is difficult to procure, he uses theses challenges to his advantage. The hinges, nails and tools necessary for each piece ar"Art has a role to play in the development of Africa" attests Hamed Ouattara, "and my work reflects this conviction." Hamed's designs pay homage to his cultural ties, re-interpreting traditional patherning and highlighting Burkina Faso's artisanal metal-working heritage, addressing a modern global audience through African innovation. Studio Hamed Ouattara, situated in the heart of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso's energetic capital, is led by self-taught artist and designer Hamed Ouattara. Resulting from a reaction to his immediate African environment, where oil barrils in popping primary colours are discarted after use, his design transgress continental borders, garnering praise by international galleries, with purchases by important collectors around the world. These disused oil barrils - hammered, shaped and repurposed by hand - offer a distinct aesthetic to his work, which turns the salvaged metal to a functional, artistic homeware product, be it a collectible-edition chair or furniture. "Through recycling, I'm able to offer a truly local, innovative response to waste products made from scarce resources in our region" he explains. Hamed's minimalist philosphy results in limited stamped edition pieces that have each been nurtured by his craftmanship. Working in a country where constant power outages are the norm, and equipment is difficult to procure, he uses theses challenges to his advantage. The hinges, nails and tools necessary for each piece are crafted in his studio, meaning that every detail is carefully considered and utterly bespoke.