Salù Iwadi Studio has presented a collection of lamps that refract the principles of the Gèlèdé tradition, a West African cultural practice. This artistic endeavor doesn't merely showcase illumination; rather, it treats light as an intrinsic element, shaped and revealed from within the lamp's structure. The collection, titled 'Gèlèdé Lamp Collection', draws a parallel between the generative power attributed to women in the tradition and the nurturing and gradual emergence of light.
The core of the Gèlèdé Lamp Collection lies in its conceptualization of light not as a mere output, but as a living substance that is "cradled, nurtured, and gradually revealed like a child within the womb." This approach is deeply embedded in the Gèlèdé tradition, which venerates the essential role of women in maintaining social equilibrium, continuity, and the very force of life. The studio asserts that this feminine authority is the conduit through which 'Ìmólè' – a concept encompassing illumination, hope, destiny, and ancestral presence – is carried and introduced to the world.
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The collection comprises three distinct works, each offered in two sizes, exploring the theme across different scales of presence. One piece, GLD01, arranges three vertically stacked vessels, a symbolic representation of ancestor, mother, and child. Another, GLD02, consolidates this generational narrative into a single form, suggesting a dissolution of distinctions into a continuous, interconnected existence.
This endeavor is rooted in the practices of Toluwalase Rufai, an architect based in Lagos, and Sandia Nassila, a curator in Dakar. Their diverse backgrounds and a shared passion for creating products with a contemporary, Afrocentric lens inform their collaborative studio. The studio's name, Salù Iwadi, itself seems to suggest a deliberate engagement with cultural narratives, albeit one that is lived rather than strictly defined. Their work on the Gèlèdé collection follows their recognition as Wallpaper Future Icons, indicating a growing presence in the design discourse.
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The studio's approach is described as one where shaping light is synonymous with shaping form, moving beyond mere imitation of tradition. This focus on the inherent qualities of light and its relationship to form positions their work within a larger conversation about design that draws from deep cultural wells while offering novel interpretations. The lamps themselves feature specific technical details, such as the E14 LED 5W 3000K bulb, with one described as measuring 34x25x144cm.
