These wonderful beaded animals and dolls are created by enterprising women living in the townships surrounding Capetown, South Africa. The work has come to us from a project to employ and empower women in the townships of Mandela Park, Khayalitsha and Phillipi. The MonkeyBiz Project provides each woman with the glass beads and pays cash for each doll or bag she produces. The 320 women and men currently participating in the project are producing a variety of one-of-a-kind dolls and bags. In designing and creating these artworks, the women draw on and renew the rich artistic traditions of their several ethnic groups - Xhosa, Zulu, Ndebele, Sotho and others. In thse works the bead artists of the Cape townships are creating a new, often humorous and sometimes quite startling synthesis of folk traditions.
The Indigo Arts website has remained active during the widespread shutdowns due to the COVID-19 virus. We have had to limit our activities since the March 23rd "Stay at Home" order in Philadelphia. Under current rules I have been able to resume most operations but still must limit visitors to the gallery, by appointment only. I am monitoring orders and responding to inquiries. I am now able to pack and ship most orders within a few days. Please stay safe!
