“I was born to do this! I give it all I have got,” exclaims wire artist, Tafara Mashingaidze. This passionate wire art moved to South Africa from Zimbabwe with his daughter to build a life for themselves. This dynamic father-daughter duo spends most of the income generated from their craft (Natalie makes wire bowls) towards her studies in at a tertiary institution. Small business, DBD Solutions, snapped up Tafara’s services to design a beaded floating trophy for a big South African corporate company. They stay in Delft, Cape Town. This is DBD Solutions next success story.
QUALIFIED GRAPHIC DESIGNER SHIFTS TO WIRE ART
Tafara is a qualified graphic designer yet became a wire artist in 2005. This took place about the time the craft became recognised as a respected and commercially viable art form. And non-governmental organisations (NGOs) like Streetwires provided the necessary skills training in the craft. Tafara specialises in telephone wire art yet has worked with other craft mediums. A massive chandelier made from wire, metal, glass, and wooden beads is on display at a popular Mother City restaurant. The artistic and technological innovation of wire work has inspired more intricate and arresting works of art. Adding beading to the mix involves stringing beads together along a thin wire. Beads which come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and materials, can take long hours of precise work using specialised tools and equipment.
RECYCLED MATERIAL TRANSLATES INTO CREATIVE WORKS OF ART
Front of mind for Tafara is using eco-friendly, recycled material. This could explain why DBD Solutions, which supports local community artists and has sourced an eco-friendly corporate gifts product line, saw common ground for a combined effort.
As I enjoy reusing and repurposing material, most of my art is made from recycled media. Tafara Mashingaidze
DBD SOLUTIONS SOURCES COMMUNITY ARTIST
Owner and managing director of DBD Solutions, Benice Ruiters, mentors SMMEs and entrepreneurs and helps them get a foot in the door for work opportunities. A big South African corporate company commissioned her to source a local designer to make a beaded floating trophy for events. Benice connected with Tafara after meeting fashion designer, Tamburai Chirume, through the Mana Box Project. Tafara’s respectful manner and his professional approach to his work impressed her.
I connect people and businesses to find growth opportunities. I am trying to showcase incredible people in our community – their talents and stories. Collaboration is the key ingredient for achieving the best results. Benice Ruiters, DBD Solutions
INSPIRING THE YOUTH WITH WIRE ART
It is evident that Tafara’s experiences in South Africa heavily influences his work. He redefines the art of twisting by sculpting wire. There is always something to learn from those who have already done it. Tafara is motivated to inspire and encourage the youth to continue to innovate the art form. He remains determined to push the boundaries of his craft.
Working in collaboration with other artists and the experience and research I have gained throughout the 15 years I have been active in this field, have inspired my techniques. - Tafara Mashingaidze
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