Haas Brothers, Afreaks Mini Mushroom, 2021; Limited Edition Sculpture
The Afreaks Mini Mushroom is an exclusive ART FOR CHANGE commission designed by the Haas Brothers created in collaboration with Monkeybiz, a non-profit collective of craftswomen located in the Khayelitsha township outside Cape Town, South Africa.
Each limited edition sculpture designed by the Haas Brothers has a bronze base and a “mushroom cap” that is intricately hand-beaded by Monkeybiz. Beads, originally thought to possess spiritual energy in African culture, imbue each mini mushroom with spiritual energy of traditions past, and symbolize a powerful connection between two like-minded artistic groups.
Limited edition of 50
The Afreaks Mini Mushroom is based on the Haas Brothers’ original 7-foot sculptures. The Afreaks series of fantastical creatures are adorned in beads by Monkeybiz, who lovingly call themselves the Haas Sisters. Not only are these joyful creations a symbol of unity, the Afreaks hand-beaded projects also provide a source of income for Monkeybiz and the craft women's communities. The Afreaks series was included in Beauty at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, New York, and at the San Jose Museum of Art, California. In December 2018, the Haas Brothers’ first museum retrospective Ferngully opened at The Bass Museum in Miami, Florida. Their work is in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
When discussing the significance of the Afreaks Mushrooms Niki Haas said:
"The original large-scale works were created as an homage to alternate experience...Simon and I were allowed to travel into a place we had never been and meet in the middle with a people and culture we had never experienced. The result of this experience was community supportive economy and beautiful artwork...the beaded mushrooms were our access into a world of artistic expression and supportive social influence that felt completely unachievable. The opportunity to work like this was always in front of us, but it took these objects to open us to it.”
ART FOR CHANGE together with the Haas Brothers will donate 50% of the net proceeds of each limited edition sculpture sold to HALO, with the Haas Sisters receiving 20% of net proceeds. A special thanks to the Haas Brothers for donating 100% of their studio share for this initiative to support Halo’s mission to provide love in the form of housing, healing, and education to thousands of homeless and at-risk children.
*International customers are responsible for applicable duties and taxes.
*Afreaks Mini Mushrooms will ship in late spring 2021.