Public Lecture: Jomo Tariku

Cranbrook Academy of Art’s 2024-25 Public Lecture Series is free and open to the public at Cranbrook’s deSalle Auditorium. Cranbrook Art Museum is open late and free to all on Thursdays, please arrive early to explore their current exhibitions.

Jomo’s furniture designs draw inspiration from Africa’s rich cultural heritage, historical structures, traditional furniture, craft, colors, artifacts, landscapes, wildlife, and even hairstyles. His research on licensed Black furniture designers has been featured in prominent publications such as the New York Times and BOH. Jomo’s work has graced more than 40 publications, movie sets and even the home of the Vice President of US, Kamala Harris at the Naval Observatory. His designs are part of the permanent collections in major museums such as the Met, PMA, and LACMA. Jomo has been recognized by Wallpaper Magazine, Oprah, and Susanne Graner of Vitra Design Museum for his impactful contributions. Beyond furniture design, he applies his skills to showcase African stories through
compelling data visualizations and has diversified into other creative spaces, including public art sculptures and wallpaper design. Jomo is represented by Wexler Gallery in the US and Foreign Agent Gallery in Switzerland and resides in Springfield, Virginia, with his wife and two sons.