Gone Arty, the trade name of the Vhufuli Art Foundation, was established by José Verweij-Hoogendijk in 2000. This foundation supports small-scale producers from remote areas in Africa by providing them access to the European market. What began as a small initiative has grown into a full-fledged wholesale business in African art and utility objects.
This TICA exhibitor perfectly aligns with TICA’s Colourful Cultures theme, which focuses on handmade interior products from various cultural crafts worldwide. TICA’s editorial team spoke with José.
We bring hard-to-obtain items from African producers to the Western world and align them with the latest trends. By creating equal partnerships between producers, importers, shops, and consumers, we reinvest part of the profits in projects that improve working and living conditions. With Gone Arty, you bring a piece of authentic Africa into your interior while contributing to fair trade and sustainable development.
Our assortment consists of carefully handmade products, each with a unique story. Our collection contains many different items, from beautiful decorative baskets and stylish shoppers to colorful beach hats and garden ornaments. Within our furniture range, you’ll find authentic wicker chairs, benches, children’s chairs, and stools. We also have atmospheric candles, stunning recycled glass, cow horn cutlery, and impressive stone sculptures from Zimbabwe. Each piece is crafted with care and attention, making our products not only beautiful but also meaningful.
We are excited to introduce our latest collection, which includes unique and handmade items. We have beautiful candles from Swaziland that not only create atmosphere in homes but also reflect the craftsmanship of the local population. Additionally, we’re adding impressive bronze statues from Burkina Faso to our assortment, each carrying a piece of African culture and history. Moreover, we’re receiving a new container from Zimbabwe, filled with a selection of beautiful products.
Our handmade products, rich in cultural elements, warm colors, and natural materials, perfectly match this theme. By using natural materials, you bring both a calm appearance and more warmth to your interior. The warm colors of our products combine well with these natural materials and seamlessly connect with the artisanal feel. This also applies to our child-friendly items, such as children’s chairs and stools.
Our assortment for July and August is perfectly attuned to the summer atmosphere and offers many unique, handmade items that can enhance any space.
We are extremely proud of having secured a strong and lasting position for African products in a market often dominated by Asian goods. This achievement reflects our dedication and passion for promoting African artisans. It’s a milestone that emphasizes both the quality of our assortment and our commitment to fair trade and social responsibility.
TICA is a crucial platform for us, both for sales and connecting with new customers. By selling at multiple locations throughout the Netherlands, we can continuously improve our products from African artisans and align them with the latest trends and needs of European consumers. The sales results provide us with valuable feedback about how the market responds to our products, and that is typically TICA for us.
