Malene Barnett Reimagined Her Handmade Artwork Into Eye-Catching Wallpaper
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Today, artist and activist Malene Barnett released a mesmerizing collection with Lulu and Georgia that sings of liberation. The Kindred Collection beautifully reimagines the intricate patterns of Barnett's hand-built vessels as a new medium: wall coverings. From her sculptural ceramic tiles and vessels to mixed media paintings to handwoven rugs, Barnett continues to evolve her craft and share her African heritage with these attention-grabbing wallpapers.
Guided by Barnett's mission to translate her vision of the modern Black experience from cultural traditions and practices of art in the African diaspora, her exclusive line is meant to redesign your home for the better. Her ceramic work explores and expands on the idea of clay as a tool for liberation.
"My work examines the relationship between handmade techniques in modern art and design. My travels around the world, coupled with a deep appreciation for the details and forms found in West African art, have offered me a unique insight. Research—in mediums, processes, and techniques—is where I examine my ideas and new concepts arise that are explored and then applied to future works," Barnett shares.
"In this process, I channel the paths of renowned artists such as Lois Mailou Jones, Elizabeth Catlett, Barkley Hendricks, and others who came before me. Their dedication to both craft and purpose while keeping cultural traditions alive and creating legacies encourages me to continue to enhance my artistic heritage with meaning."
Centered on rich texture and color, these standout pieces are meant to help evolve your home into a creative space. The collection is comprised of five unique styles ranging from $168 to $178 per roll. With a mission is to use art as a tool to create community impact and open doors for the next generation of Black artists, Barnett seeks to expand the conversation around marginalization in the arts and create greater opportunities for inclusion. The Kindred Collection goes above and beyond to become a conversation you'll never want to end, and a beauty you don't want to look away from.
"I hope that this collection makes people feel that they are learning from and keeping with African traditions and that our ancestors are with us at all times. I hope that when people touch the wallpaper styles and spend time near the pieces, they feel connected to their ancestors," says Barnett. Shop the exclusive wallpaper line through luluandgeorgia.com.
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