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Click to read more about the latest issue of The South African...more
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Famed for Reclaiming | 
| | Ryan Frank has a dirty habit … he enjoys collecting and salvaging some of London’s unwanted junk. |
His addiction has become so disturbing that he has even now added dozens of used newspapers and shopping bags as part of his fix.
Do not pity Frank though, he has produced striking creations using natural resources and aspects of London’s dynamic urban landscape.
“I do believe very strongly in environmental issues and a greener world, but let’s not forget I’m a designer first and then eco-friendly. I believe in making well designed products,” he said.
The Johannesburg born artist has shaped and moulded an exciting range of designer furniture inspired by that unique South African spirit to find creative solutions to environmental decay and erosion. Take the ‘Hackney Shelf’ which originated when graffiti splattered white boards were transformed into modern mobile shelving units.
He has designed concepts of interior design using experimental materials from hemp and bio-resin to make a coat-rack, or reclaimed bricks and cork to make an accessory bowl, to plastic shopping bags to make the Inkuku footstool.
Frank has always been creative and resourceful. He recalls making tree houses and skateboards using the tools in his father’s shed.
“I used to do Art and woodwork at school. I remember for my final practical exam for woodwork I made a clock which now still hangs in my parent’s house,” said the 33-year-old.
Though his journey into furniture design has been purely accidental, Frank has landed himself a niche market in his unconventional use of salvaged materials.
“We had a guidance lesson at school and I forgot to do my homework the night before. We had to write about what we wanted to do as a career. I saw this poster on the wall on Industrial design and copied it word for word in my notes for the teacher. I didn’t think about it to much, but then thought ‘why not’. I enrolled to Cape Town Technikon and studied product design and I really enjoyed it,” Frank said.
His flare for design took him to Zwolle, Holland in 2001 as part of an exchange programme. Since he launched onto the London market about two years ago, he has successfully exhibited his designs in Europe and just last week received rave reviews in the London Design Festival, where he exhibited among other things the Strata chair, stool, coffee & table commissioned by Portuguese furniture manufacturer IMADE Trading.
“I’ve exhibited in Milan and London and I’ve had a lot of exposure and interest from the States, China, Brazil and Mexico. I even won an award for best press profile,” he said.
The growing interest has left Frank contemplating the future of his growing business.
“I’ve taken the odd jobs to survive. You have to. It’s very difficult to earn a good living just doing design. But I must admit that after my first public exhibition in 2005, things have started going really well. I just need to get my head around the accounting and financial side of things,” he said coyly.
Now for the first time in his new design career, Frank has been invited to return to South Africa to exhibit at next year’s Design Indaba.
“I love South Africa and I miss it so much, especially the weather. I miss the natural beauty, the landscapes and it’s rawness … I will be forging partnerships with manufacturers in South Africa to start seeing my designs going into production,” said the salvage merchant.
With his impressive green credentials, recently being profiled in Time Magazine’s Eco-guide and awarded ‘Most Sustainable Product’ at London’s annual Hidden Art Awards, all Frank’s works have a story to tell.
“I love the fact that I can build a new piece of furniture that already has a history of it’s own.” |
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