Nyala Chair, 2023
JOMO TARIKU
Nyala Chair, 2023
Walnut with holly inlay
30 x 23.5 x 20 in (76.2 x 59.7 x 50.8 cm)
Ed. 1/18
The Nyala Chair draws inspiration from the reserved and elusive mountain antelope from the Bale Mountains of Ethiopia. The silhouette of these horns in conjunction with the three-legged Jimma stools were the inspiration behind this distinctive look and design that the New York Times has characterized as a classic. “To me, a classic has three qualities,” said Bobbye Tigerman, the curator of decorative arts and design at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. “It reflects the time in which it was made, it demonstrates outstanding craftsmanship, and it has a timeless visual appeal. Her pick: the Nyala Chair by Jomo Tariku, which signals the designer’s Ethiopian heritage and his concern for antelope native to the Bale Mountains in that country. Nyala’s organic curves “give it a timeless visual allure,” she said.
The Nyala Chair is in the permanent collection of Dallas Museum of Art, National Museum of African American History and Culture, Carnegie Museum of Art, Mint Museum, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Denver Art Museum.
“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
