Scene and herd: African design comes to Miami

The McGowans’ mission when they founded Southern Guild in 2008 was to create a platform for limited-edition, high-end contemporary design, inviting between 40 and 50 designers a year to contribute pieces.

Their choice for Miami is Migrant/Migrate, a collection of pieces by Gregor Jenkin that refer to the migration of labour within South Africa and the natural migration of herds of wildebeest.

‘These six pieces – an elegantly awkward clutch of tables – are grouped and sold together in five ‘herds’ like the herds of animals they represent. Each piece takes inspiration for its form from nature, while still retaining a functional element,’ says Trevyn McGowan.

Jenkin works with local artisans to make the pieces using waxed steel. The turned metal legs are typical of his work and made by a local gunsmith, picking up on the continuing appeal of turning in contemporary furniture as well as the growing trend for using materials in a raw or near-raw form.

Look out for further reports on Design Miami/ in our Seed and Shows sections.