Mukecha Stool / Table, 2023
JOMO TARIKU
Mukecha Stool / Table, 2023
Walnut
15 x 13.5 x 13.5 in
Ed. 1/18
The Mukecha Stool is inspired by traditional African mortars and pestles, used for grinding barley, wheat, and other staple crops. These heavy tools, carved from sturdy local wood, are used in a labor-intensive process typically performed by women in the community, often accompanied by synchronizing singing. Tariku’s design for the stool incorporates concentric rings, referencing the neck rings found on bronze busts from the Kingdom of Benin. While the stool’s shape is inspired by the traditional mortar, it fuses two ideas: the simple outline of the mortar is reimagined with intricate ribs extending upwards, inspired by the neck rings of the. The hole in the middle of the seat alludes to the mortar’s function.
Mukecha was used as part of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever set design and is in the collection of the Dallas Museum of Art.
“I aim to cultivate a lifelong appreciation for elevated modern African design, and to inspire a deeper and fuller connection to the continent. I weave the continent’s nature, art, and history within each piece I produce. Every design tells a unique story, with no detail overlooked or undervalued.” —Jomo Tariku
