Mabeo began as a furniture maker for aspirational commercial projects in Botswana. Unsettled by this limited way of working that excludes culture and craftspeople in particular; unconvinced about the commodification of traditional culture, and clear about not being seduced by the culture of helping the poor, a process of disregarding limitations and respectfully looking into what object making with a clear sense of simple integrity could be, was started. Through an involving process that included a hands-on experimental dialogue with artisans and crafts people in Botswana on the one hand along with the design world on the other, primarily through some of the world’s most highly regarded international designers such as Patricia Urquiola; Patty Johnson, Vincent Van Duysen, Ines Bressand, Claesson Koivisto Rune, among others, an approach of making simple, beautiful objects with a particular attitude of utilizing what was available, particularly the abilities and interests of people within the brand’s operating vicinity, in Botswana began. Influenced by modernism and a contemporary sensibility, without being internally under control of either; a collaborative dialogue with an interest in craftspeople, natural materials and culture, resulted. The outcome was a distinct furniture collection that has a subtle and discreet quality. This particular interest in the humane and collaborative aspects of design continue to inform the evolution of work conceived of, edited, and produced.
