We chatted to artist Khosi Leteba regarding his recent collection and he said, ‘I have been fascinated by functional objects from a young age, having always looked at things with an eye for what they could be. Approaching design like this allows physical human engagement with a product while bettering the quality of life, both functionally and emotionally. Design, to me, is a tool for sharing stories, concepts and ideas the user can connect with. What excites me most about design is being able to create pieces that marry functionality and aesthetic harmoniously and that question what one views as design and art. I have always seen myself as a generalist more than a specialist in the creative industry, which allows me to broaden my horizons in terms of exploring ideas and concepts that flow between disparate fields of design. I am hoping to connect people with products on an emotional level because I believe such connections bring value and create memories. I believe design can also be used as a tool for cultural progression embodying what was, what is and what could be through finding inspiration from our roots to exist in the modern world.’
When asked about this collection, Khosi makes mention of, ‘The thinking behind the Cubism collection was to showcase the relationship between art and design and how they can co-exist in one space and connect. As the name implies, the pieces were inspired by the Cubism movement, the concept focusing on processing furniture pieces into abstract, fragmented artworks. As an artist, I believe good design is not just about how it looks but how it feels - and that sits at the core of Bupa Studios. We believe life is a feeling process; emotions are at the root of our connections and unite humanity.’
‘In creating the “Oxiloron” Stool and shelves for the “Xiloron” side table, I chose mild steel metal, particularly for its properties - able to be bent and welded seamlessly. I also used wood as a natural material as a foil to the robust, man-made material. In my opinion, collectable design is an artistic expression that allows you to engage with the work practically on a daily basis, creating memories around and with it.’ says artist Khosi.
