Masonwabe Ntloko

“Ilifa Lethu” which directly translates to “Our Inheritance” in isiXhosa, is a limited-edition body of work by Masonwabe Ntloko in collaboration with Airloom. "This work is inspired by my love for my people’s rich cultural history, AmaXhosa. One of the aims of this body of work was to create an affordable and durable range that is rich in culture. A limited edition piece made with love that can be the pride of your home.  As such, customers also receive an artist signed certificate of authenticity with your rug purchase.

We are proud to be introducing our third collaboration with Masonwabe, inspired by his mother, Tabisa Ntloko. This is an open letter to her and all the loving mothers out there. This body of work is an embodiment of a mother's love.

Design One: The rug Tabisa is named after my mother, Tabisa Ntloko who is the reason I am who I am today. The love and teaching from her built a safe environment for me to be, and allowed me and my siblings to be the best versions of ourselves, at home in the outside world.

Design Two: (Ma) Mlambo is my mother’s clan name. This piece is a visual representation of who I see her as from the stories she told me about her childhood. This piece was an attempt at capturing that spirit and energy.

Design Three: This piece of art is named after my aunt uNonqaba who has saved my life countless times and helped me into the path I’m on today, as a parent and guardian.

Our second collection with Masonwabe Ntloko was 'Oomamiya'. Named after some of his family members, Masonwabe Ntloko's work is inspired by his love for the rich cultural history of the AmaXhosa. Ntloko describes his inspiration for his design... "This work pays homage to Abantu Bakwa Miya, Oogwanini, Oosbewu. Both my grandmothers on my mother and father’s side were from the Miya clan and both showed me so much love and I’ve always felt loved and welcomed by Abantu Bakwa Miya, even outside my immediate family that I've met throughout my time in this world."  In this second collection, we will be releasing a range of 2 rug designs, with just 30 pieces of each.  The first collection SOLD OUT in 48 hours, so please be ready to snap yours up this time around.

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Masonwabe is a 24-year-old designer/illustrator, founder of Create Studios and textile design graduate. He grew up in a small-town called Edutywa, but is originally from a village called Engwane, where he has drawn most of his inspiration from. Culture (isiXhosa and recently other South African ethnic groups), personal experiences and the everday life of ordinary black people are amongst the things that he finds value in and tries to emmulate in his work.

Our First Drop sold out in just 48 hours

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Masonwabe's design style is well-curated, simple with a cultural influence. His work takes the form of a storyteller, taking stories from the past and expressing them in an artistic form that many may connect to. His style is modern, fitting for the current times, while offering a nostalgic element. While completing his studies at Nelson Mandela University, he received an opportunity to intern for one of South Africas biggest luxury brands. That opened his eyes to the different ways one can express themselves artistically, learn about all the other aspects of the design industry and from there he started building his personal brand as Masonwabe Ntloko.