ROOTED — OBE x TSL
'Rooted' is a curated collectible design exhibition presented by Objects by Eight (OBE) in collaboration with The Sourcing Lab (TSL) — bringing together independent artist-designers and makers from Africa and the Middle East.
The 'Rooted' exhibition explores themes of origin, identity, memory, material, and belonging through a considered selection of furniture, lighting and sculptural objects. Each work carries its own creative language while remaining connected to ideas of heritage, place and contemporary craft.
Bringing together multiple voices rather than a single aesthetic, Rooted creates a dialogue between tradition and experimentation, local making and global design culture.
Through limited-edition and collectible works, OBE x TSL celebrates craftsmanship, authorship and cultural storytelling, positioning contemporary African and Middle Eastern design within a broader international context.
OBE is a Dubai-based, gallery-led design house working across Africa and the Middle East, presenting collectible design by independent artist-designers, makers and creative practitioners. Founded by Creative Director, Johanna van der Merwe, TSL is dedicated to facilitating a curated and inspired design experience, one that both elevates the spaces we create while simultaneously simplifying the methods we use to bring them to life.
Designers participating in this exhibition include:
Atang Tshikare
Brother and Beast
Candice Lawrence
Ckho Mququ
Ebrahim Assur
Ndivhuho Rasengani
OBE-Objects by Eight – Zahir Jattiem