Bogolan Collection
SERVICE Collaborative Design
PARTNERS Hollow Work Ceramics
We are currently in partnership with local studio, Hollow Work Ceramics, creating a collection of small supply goods centered around personal passions. Bògòlanfini or bogolan is a handmade Malian cotton fabric traditionally dyed with fermented mud. It has an important place in traditional Malian culture and has, more recently, become a symbol of Malian cultural identity. The cloth is exported worldwide for use in fashion, fine art and decoration. The dye technique is associated with several Malian ethnic groups, but the Bambaran version has become best known outside Mali. In the Bambara language, the word bògòlanfini is a composite of bogo meaning "earth" or "mud"; lan, meaning "with" or "by means of"; and fini, meaning "cloth". Although usually translated as "mud cloth," bogolan actually refers to a clay slip with a high iron content that produces a black pigment when applied to handspun and handwoven cotton textiles. Like it’s namesake, our Bogolan collection is handmade through a process involving terracotta clay (planters) and porcelain (mugs), then decorated with a clay dye (glaze). We select symbolism from traditional bogolan to intersperse with geometric shapes, creating modern designs. Our current product selections are in alignment with our passion for tea and plants, two elements we gravitate toward for self-care.
ABOUT THE PARTNER
Kate Hardy is a ceramicist from Washington DC but born and raised in Baltimore. In addition to being a professor at The Corcoran School of Art and Design at George Washington University, she owns and operates Hollow Work Ceramics, a pottery business specializing in unique handmade table and drink ware. Her work is used by many restaurants and cafes, and is available galleries, stores, and museum gift shops across the US.