Zimbabwean multidisciplinary artist Sherman Baloyi debuted his latest body of work comprising paintings, fashion accessories and furniture at Decorex Africa, the continent’s premier décor, design and lifestyle exhibition, that spotlights cutting-edge creativity across residential, commercial and hospitality sectors.
The event happened over three days from July 24 to 27 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
Decorex has flagship events in Cape Town and Johannesburg and serves as a dynamic platform for both established and emerging designers to showcase innovative ideas, sustainable solutions and trend-forward aesthetics.
With a career spanning nearly two decades and rooted in graphic design, Baloyi has emerged as one of Zimbabwe’s most compelling creative voices, blending visual storytelling, sustainability and African material culture in ways that challenge and inspire.
“Decorex was so awesome. Many thanks to each and one of you who passed through our stand. Yes, to bold ideas and creativity,” Baloyi wrote on his Instagram handle.
One of his outstanding works were bags that he showcased on his stand during Decorex. The bags are made from coated leather and vibrant webbing straps gathered from Zimbabwe’s open-air markets.
The artist said the range carries the spirit of places such as Magaba (Mbare, Harare) and Jambanja (Chitungwiza) markets — “where nothing goes to waste, and everything gets a second chance”.
“It’s stitched with memory, shaped by hands, and inspired by the women who trade in remnants — giving forgotten materials new purpose,” he said.
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According to the artist, the bag is an ongoing series that will keep evolving in shape, color and functionality.
“It is a love letter to transformation. A reminder that beauty often hides in the overlooked. That value can be reimagined,” he said.
Known for his design studio OnaDsgn, founded in 2015, Baloyi has consistently operated at the intersection of brand identity, storytelling, and user experience.
But it’s his more recent foray into circularity, re-imagining discarded materials into works of art, that has placed him on the radar of collectors, institutions and curators alike.
“Decorex was nothing short of transformative. It was my very first time attending and simultaneously showcasing, and the reception to my work was overwhelming in the best way. I had the privilege of connecting with brilliant creatives from across South Africa and beyond — each conversation opened new doors and sparked new ideas. In just a few days, I met incredible people and formed collaborations that will carry my work into exciting new directions,” Baloyi told IndependentXtra.
Baloyi’s background in Zimbabwe’s Institute of Art & Design in Bulawayo an annex of Bulawayo Polytechnic College gave him a multidisciplinary foundation, sparking a deep fascination with patterns, textures, and the visual languages of everyday life.
From plastic bottle caps to webbing materials, Baloyi has mastered the act of “harvesting” discarded objects and transforming them into installations that interrogates the act of discarding and the potential of it becoming something valuable.
Baloyi also revealed a collaboration with Fabrikate SA, which launches next month, as well as a groundbreaking cross-continental project uniting Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
“Alongside these, I am creating fresh works for Fabrik Bank and gearing up for an exhibition in Harare this September and a solo in Johannesburg later this year. It’s an exciting moment for Studio Sherman Baloyi, with each collaboration adding a new layer to my creative journey.”
