Hamed Ouattara in T le Magazine du Temps

Metal, plastic, wood, used gasoline and oil drums form the material basis for Hamed Ouattara, one of the most celebrated furniture designers from Burkina Faso on the African continent. He exhibited a new series of consoles, buffets, and dish racks at the stand of the Lausanne gallery Foreign Agent at last year's Design Miami fair. These pieces of furniture were created through twisting, welding, and shaping of motor oil barrels. The visible former life of these drums serves as a reminder that Africa serves as a dumping ground for the Western world. Through his approach to upcycling, Hamed Ouattara seeks, he says, to "protect the environment, promote social justice, and ensure economic well-being." Through his studio in Ouagadougou, he aims to reduce wage inequalities in Burkina Faso by providing training to young talents.