CURATORIAL SERVICES FOR
Cultural Organisations
Galleries, Museums, Educational Institutions, And Other Cultural Organisations
If you’re looking for a richer understanding of global fine craft & design, or want a deep dive into contemporary Africa’s dynamic design and craft landscape, I’ll provide direction, context, research, products, and even introductions.
Through a dedicated consultancy, I connect galleries, museums, and other cultural organisations with designers, and makers, artisans by providing information, and building awareness with research, articles, curation, and speaking engagements.
I have curated and sourced exceptional fine craft & design objects for exhibitions, events, and interior design projects in the US, Europe, and Africa.
Interested In Exploring Opportunities?
My tailored services include
KIND WORDS
“It was a pleasure working with Tapiwa. She was professional, incredibly well-informed. Tapiwa’s depth of knowledge and sincerity on the subject is hard to come by. The level of curation was impeccable. Not only is her work ‘good on paper’ but, the relationships she builds with designers all over the continent and from the diaspora through her work is telling of her genuine passion and pioneering spirit in the area of African Design.”
Cassandra Twala
Curator, Sanlam HmC, South Africa
Who I’ve Worked WITH
I have been honoured to share my knowledge and insights with organisations, including:
| Homo Faber – Curator, The Artisan: a crafted tea room A ground-breaking event in Venice, Italy dedicated to celebrating artisanal excellence. I was invited to curate a ‘living room’, a space filled with everyday objects that inspire a sense of wonder and bring meaning to our lives. For further information about Homo Faber visit the website |
| Art Exception – Selection Committee Member An exhibition held in Paris, France examining contemporary crafts from the African continent. Celebrating the avant-garde Art Exception featured 25 creators and more than 45 exceptional works ranging from beading, to furniture, to fashion, to art installations. I was invited to be part of the selection committee. For further information about Art Exception visit the website |
| Ifa Pure Gold Upcycled! Upgraded! – REGIONAL CURATOR SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA An exhibition presented by ifa (Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen) explores the subject of rubbish and presents approaches to using trash to create valuable products. I curated the section dedicated to upcycling in Sub-Saharan Africa. For further information about ifa Pure Gold visit the website |
| HmC Fair – GUEST CURATOR Appointed as a guest curator for Handmade Contemporary Fair’s Well Made in Africa showcase, hand-selecting 5 exquisite Well Made in Africa exhibitors from the African continent. HmC Fair is a leading South African-based showcase of high-end artisanal craft, design, food and wine. For further information about Sanlam Handmade Contemporary Fair visit the website |
| Wo ist Afrika? The Colonial Heritage – The Picture of Africa Today – PANEL SPEAKER Invited to be a panel speaker at a discussion held during the exhibition Wo ist Afrika? at the Linden-Museum, Stuttgart, speaking about design in Africa from a post-colonial perspective. For further information about Wo ist Afrika? visit the website |
| Flow of Forms / Forms of Flow – PANEL SPEAKER Invited to be a panel speaker at Flow of Forms / Forms of Flow exhibition at Museum für Völkerkunde Hamburg, speaking about my book and the work I do in promoting contemporary African design. For further information about Flow of Forms / Forms of Flow visit the website |
| Creative Mornings, Johannesburg – PANEL SPEAKER Invited to be a panel speaker at a special edition of Creative Mornings Johannesburg, held during the Handmade Contemporary Fair. For further information about Creative Mornings Johannesburg visit the website |
| Digital By Design – CO-MODERATOR Co-led three interactive blogging sessions discussing creativity and the creative process. London Design Festival event held at the V&A’s Sackler Centre. |
| Creative Challenge / Ma UCA Epsom – SYMPOSIUM SPEAKER Presented related MA research to industry professionals and students. University for the Creative Arts (UCA) event, held at the Kensington Rooftop Gardens, London. |
KIND WORDS
“The idea of inviting Tapiwa Matsinde as co-curator of our project PURE GOLD arose from the knowledge of her book: Contemporary Design Africa. Tapiwa has done a really good job of proposing exactly the examples that documented and confirmed the central idea of our touring exhibition.”
Volker Albus
Curator, Pure Gold, ifa, Germany
Expanding the reach of exceptional craftsmanship
Let’s work together to bring the work of talented artisans, designers, makers, and creatives to the greater attention of local and global audiences.