February 14, 2022
THE MONKEYBIZ STORY
I discovered Monkeybiz several years ago on the now defunct Wallpaper online store and brought several pieces for my home. I love the naive forms and unique nature of every animal, the whimsical pieces make me smile. The whole ethos of the Sourcey shop is to provide a very personal edit of wonderful things for your home. I'm delighted to stock MonkeyBiz pieces and bring a little of my home to yours.
Monkeybiz tagline is "Beaded with Love". An economic upliftment project dedicated to reviving the traditional craft of African beadwork and empowering women to become financially independent. Since 2000 Monkeybiz has supported in the region of 300 bead artists to continue creating these unique artworks.
Monkeybiz uses discarded off-cuts from clothing manufacturers as the filler material for the beaded animals and from time to time has donations of beads.
The majority of Monkeybiz artists have known poverty, neglect and deprivation for most of their lives. Against this background, Monkeybiz has achieved tremendous impact by providing a basic income to many families who would otherwise have been left destitute.
Monkeybiz pays the women immediately as the work is delivered on a market day. Every artist has a bank account, helping with cash security.
In the African culture the funeral and burial fund will be one of the most important savings people make. Monkeybiz has set up a Funeral and Burial fund for every beader on the register, where each beader’s contribution to this fund is matched by Monkeybiz.
Monkeybiz is dedicated to reviving the tradition of African beadwork, taking the love and knowledge that has been passed down over the centuries, from mother to child and becoming the bridge between traditional bead work to contemporary art.
The crowning achievement of Monkeybiz is that it recognises and develops the artistic ability of people who have never had the opportunity to express themselves through art. Monkeybiz provides a platform for beaders to become artists within their own right.
Monkeybiz has had international acclaim. Known as folk art Monkeybiz pieces were snatched up by Sotherbys Contemporary Decorative arts for a sell-out exhibition in 2002. The vibrant dolls, animals and beaded pictures have been featured in The World of Interiors magazine and enthralled shoppers and collectors in New York, London, Paris and Tokyo in design stores such as Donna Karen and The Conran Shop...and now Sourcey!
