Page 12 - Designing Ways 261

TRADE WINDS

Art Safari

Statement pieces by Lady Skollie, Edoardo Villa, Deborah
Bell, Norman Catherine, and other exceptional
artists add an exciting new dimension
to the safari experience at Molori

olori Safari, the jewel of Africa’s transformation, and positioning
Madikwe game reserve in the arts as an impetus for dialogue.
Mthe North-West, has always Pieces chosen in this vein now add
been known for its glamorous interiors, depth to the Molori experience. ‘The
vibrant colours and spirited approach result is enchanting,’ says Molori’s owner
– whether experiencing the country’s Ivor Ichikowitz. ‘Our philosophy is to
“Big 10” wildlife, or its diverse culture as delight our guests with the unexpected
beautifully represented at the property. and I believe we have achieved this with
Now, the stand-out private suites and our new luxury interiors and by adding
main lodge interiors have taken the gravitas to our art collection there,’ he
concept of an ‘art safari’ up a notch. continues. Elsewhere in the exterior, Deborah
Along with new-look interiors boldly As for the recently added artworks Bell’s large-scale bronze ‘Chariot’ is
refurbished by the South African interior themselves, new arrivals at the lodge nestled in the bush near Molori’s main
design team, Megan Hesse and Andrea include four Edoardo Villa sculptures. lodge, and is a fine example of Bell’s
Kleinloog of Hesse Kleinloog Studio, the Villa arrived in South Africa from Italy fascination with ancient civilizations
luxury lodge now features an expanded in 1942, during World War II. He was and their excavated artefacts. Her work
art collection. Works by headline artists passionately dedicated to the creation of incorporates powerful, totemic images.
were specially selected from the private an African identity in his work and is best On the inside, interesting miniature
Ichikowitz Heritage Art Collection to known for his public sculptures, similar works and sculpture by Norman
complement the feel-good yet decidedly to his red and silver tubular steel ‘Abstract Catherine can be found in the Metsi
upscale interiors. Head’, which is now a striking focus in the lounge. The main lodge area, near the
Based in Johannesburg, the Ichikowitz glamorous main bar overlooking the pool. grand piano, houses a work by sculptor
Heritage Art Collection is one of the There are three more Villa pieces that Angus Taylor, best known for his gigantic
largest collections of its kind, featuring are strategically placed outdoors. ‘The slate figures set into landscapes, that are
South African and African artists dating Stork’ and ‘African Wild Bird’ however, are held in various prestigious collections
back as far as the 1950s. The diverse examples of his move to welding pieces of in South Africa and around the world.
collection includes paintings, sculpture, metal together in the early 1950s, in the Taylor’s Molori work is entitled ‘Bearing
works on paper, photography and video, vein of artists like Pablo Picasso and Julio your Becoming’ and is rendered in
all capturing the mood and emotions of Gonzalez. bronze, malachite and prasiolite.
The gin and whiskey bar showcases Cole
& Son ‘Savuti’ wallpaper, also used in the
lodge’s game-viewing underground hide.
Dylan Lewis
This flamboyant and delightfully quirky
wallpaper from The Ardmore Collection
shows a warm orange background offset
by drawings of monkeys, hoopoes,
hornbills and aloes. The Ardmore studio,
in the remote hills of KwaZulu-Natal,
produces work by over 70 African artists
and ceramists, and has collaborated
successfully with UK-based Cole & Son.
Another riveting artwork that hangs
in the entrance and sets the tone for the
lodge is by Lady Skollie. Guests intrigued
by this piece entitled ‘Kind of, sort of
united we stand: the ups and downs of
competitive sisterhood’ (2016), will no
doubt find a contemplative space to reflect
on its deeper meaning. From papayas to

14 Issue 261 • dw