Sculptural Mirrors by Arkivio: Contemporary African Design | Arkivio
Mirrors have long moved beyond pure function within contemporary interiors. Increasingly, they are treated as sculptural objects – pieces that shape light, expand atmosphere, and introduce rhythm into a space. Within the curated collection from Arkivio, reflection becomes a medium for craftsmanship, materiality, and a contemporary African design language.
Founded in Durban in 2014 by Lance Surgeson and Paul Rabinowitz, the studio has grown from a small workshop into one of South Africa’s leading names in bespoke mirrors and lighting. Across its collections, a strong connection to the textures, landscapes, and craft traditions of the East Coast remains present, translated into objects that feel both sculptural and deeply tactile.
Among the collection’s defining pieces is the Ilanga series, inspired by the African sun as it rises and sets across changing landscapes. Through softened silhouettes and radiant forms, the mirrors evoke movement and nostalgia while introducing warmth and depth into the interior.
The Isibo collection approaches mirrors as functional artworks. Hand-wrapped with rope, beads, leather, and cord, each frame draws on elements of African craft traditions while reinterpreting them at a scale suited to contemporary living spaces. Available as circular, leaning, and freestanding forms, the series balances ornamentation with restraint, allowing texture and silhouette to become the focal point. Customisable finishes and colourways further reinforce the collection’s highly personal quality.
The perfect merge
Elsewhere, the Lumena Organica Pera mirror introduces a more architectural expression. Defined by a continuous illuminated border and the seamless Arkivio DeepFrame, it merges lighting and reflection into a single sculptural gesture. Similarly, the DeepFrame Pill full-length mirror explores simplicity through proportion and finish, offering a quieter, more minimal presence.
The Buhle mirror, developed in collaboration with SF Interiors, further blurs the line between object and artwork, transforming the wall mirror into a more expressive design element.
Across the collection, craftsmanship remains central. Every piece is produced locally within Arkivio’s Durban workshop, supporting artisanal skill and a continued commitment to contemporary African making. The result is a body of work where mirrors do more than reflect a room; they actively shape its atmosphere, identity, and sense of place.
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