180 years of existence is worth celebrating the event, and this is exactly what Vlisco did. The Dutch textile company that was founded in 1846 is famous worldwide for its typical printed fabrics worn in Africa and all over the world. The firm is using traditional and ancestral techniques with a great attention to detail and the quality of materials.
The cultural link between Holland and Africa is depicted in the fabrics that you can easily find online if you do not have the opportunity to buy them locally. For its 180th birthday, Vlisco decided to collaborate with 6 African artists with one purpose: setting up new multidisciplinary works and encouraging the reinvention of the icons of the brand.
6 of the historic designs of Vlisco have been chosen as a starting point for creative expression of the 6 artists. The possibilities are numerous, from sculpture to recycled materials, without forgetting mixed media and textiles.
Vlisco first collaborated with a Beninese artist called Sébastien Boko. The latter practices diverse artistic activities such as sculpture and painting, still focused on Beninese cultural traditions and spirituality. Boko exploited the historic Vlisco design “Mari Capable” to create a sculptural form called “The world in motion”. Made of steel, the sculpture emphasizes traditions across generations.
Close to Benin stands Togo of Atisso Goha. The sculptor, who uses recycled materials for his work, created “Our mother sun” for his collaboration with Vlisco based on “Mama Benz” print. The work reminds memory and the legacy of African women.
The 4 remaining artists Vlisco collaborated with are called Ayobami Ogungbe (Nigeria), Yaw Owusu (Ghana), Jean Servais Somian (Ivory Coast) and Prisca Tankwey (Democratic Republic of Congo). Like Boko and Goha, they all took their inspiration from Vlisco prints to set up their own work, either painting or sculpture.
