Jomo Tariku sitting on a Nyala Chair ©Gediyon Kifle
Ethiopian American artist and industrial designer Jomo Tariku is defining a new design language of modern African-themed furniture. As a young boy growing up in Ethiopia he was always drawn to the eclectic art, souvenirs, and furniture pieces his father collected during his travel throughout Africa and beyond. Jomo developed craftsman skills while spending two summer breaks at a local furniture builder in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He went on to study Industrial Design at the University of Kansas, U.S.A and completed his college thesis on Contemporary African Furniture. Jomo’s furniture include a wide variety of artistic designs that synthesizes his own experience of the continents diverse culture, historical structures, architecture, traditional furniture, colors, artifacts, landscapes, wildlife, hair styles. His work has been acquired by museums such as The Met, LACMA and other prestigious institutions. Soon to be featured on Netflix!