Weaving cultures through crafts.

Active collaboration: working in close collaboration with artists and craft artists to support the creation of works that merge our respective visions.
Supporting collective community of craft artists who share our vision of excellence. Organising workshops, exhibitions and events to promote the collective's work.
Confectioning excellence: setting high quality standards for the production of the works 
Passion and joy: finding great joy and deep passion in discovering and sharing the talents of craft artist and artists. "It drives me deeply."
Appreciating artists: working to ensure that craft artist and artists are better recognised and promoted, and to "shine together". 
Pieces with soul: the pieces created by the craft artist have a soul, because they are made with a lot of heart. The creative process is a moment of  peace and care, often for women who find themselves in
these communities. 
Social impact: "In South Africa, master craft artists are undervalued. It is an honour to enable them to make a living from it, and to play a part in ensuring that their work is recognised."

"I do it to make artists' and collectors' hearts beat faster."

An alchemist of souls, Sophie Ferrand-Hazard has been travelling the regions of Southern Africa for over 15 years, seeking out exceptional talent. Sophie has recently moved to Europe and has made it her mission to celebrate and collaborate with master crafters in the world.
"It gives me great joy to discover these talents and to share them with others by touching the hearts and senses of the people who will buy them, it drives me deeply." 

Each star represents a person who sparkles in the Constellations that shine brighter when their heart beats faster.
"The artists put their past, their hopes, their talent, their problems and their dreams at the heart of their work, in the creative process, which becomes a moment of peace and care."

Our mission is to create a link between craft artists/artists and the rest of the world.
"Collectors  experience emotions when they look at, touch and receive the piece in their home, which they position in a space that becomes more beautiful because of its presence."

Previously Art of Connection.

Art of Connection was born out of a passion for handwork and savoir faire. Since its foundation in 2019, AOC has been researching and selecting the most experienced local crafts people in Southern Africa to co-create contemporary fine art and design pieces, leading these pieces to acclaimed exhibitions, decorators and private collectors.

Today our collection is presented in Atelier Collective.
DISCOVER ATELIER COLLECTIVE