What does MODSANAA mean?
The term MODSANAA was created by combining the word "MOD", short for modern, and "SANAA", the Swahili word for art. In essence, modern art from Africa.
As efficiency replaces uniqueness, many of today's modern furnishings are created via mass production. Though convenient, we lose the essence of craftmanship, the beauty of raw materials, and the ability to experience culture through someone else's hands. MODSANAA provides artisanal goods from across Africa which have been carefully selected and sourced from ethical resources. In an era of technology, these beautiful conversation pieces allow us to connect, share stories, and make memories.
Our Story
When traveling to Kenya with her native husband, and their young son, Founder and CEO, Taylor Nganga fell in love with the land, culture, and community of the country. During her first trip, she spent several days with her husband's grandparents on their vast farm in rural Ndaragwa, a four hour trip from Nairobi. From the striking scenery to the natural wildlife, she was captivated by the organic beauty of the land. Upon returning to Nairobi, she visited Kibera, the largest urban slum of Africa. During this visit, she was met by several individuals selling goods on the street. As she continued through, she was taken back by the creativity, quality, and craftsmanship of these goods. After conversing with each artist, she realized their skillset was underappreciated in Kibera. It was from this visit the idea of MODSANAA was established.
After returning home, she started working to develop products that were high quality, functional, and whose materials were sourced ethically. Aside from visiting often, Taylor works closely with a partner who resides in Kenya to constantly locate new talent and materials. Together, they have established relationships with several artists to design modern products that also capture the essence of Africa. They are currently working on a line of kitchenware to include repurposing ethically sourced cow horn and combining olivewood with other materials. The artists who have created these products come from locations where their talent has not reached an international audience, at MODSANAA, we strive to change that.
MODSANAA strives to provide a platform highlighting the unique goods of artists not just in Kenya, but all across Africa. As such, Taylor has partnered with several vendors allowing her to provide various types of modern and popular items that you can shop for all in one place.
Taylor's message:
"We are inspired by the determination and dedication of the artists we work with. They are comprised of individuals, small boutiques, and various vendors. Some are communities of woman who have banded together to create stunning products, while others are groups of young adults who have been deprived of formal education and have learned to weave or dye. Most of the artists highlighted come from backgrounds stricken with poverty and have taught themselves to craft as a way to feed their families. Their tireless efforts can be seen as many of their unique pieces take days to create, and require more than one set of hands. We, at MODSANAA, are honored to work with such talent, and are excited to continue our joint venture bringing modern, artisanal goods to your world."
Art is love.
