Crafted Kinship: Inside the Creative Practices of Contemporary Black Caribbean Makers by Malene Barnett is a vibrant and deeply personal celebration of over 60 Black Caribbean artists, designers, and craftspeople whose work is rooted in heritage, identity, and innovation. Ms. Barnett takes you on a deeply personal journeys of all the makers in the book including herself, providing insights into identity, ancestry, and materiality. The book highlights Caribbean culture, art, and heritage, showcasing how each artist interprets and honors these themes through their work.
One memorable stop on the Crafted Kinship book tour took place at the elegant showroom of Italian furniture maker Rimadesio, in Midtown Manhattan. The brand is known for creating modern and sophisticated environments with a quiet luxury aesthetic. The location was a perfect backdrop to the discussions about craftsmanship, art, materials and intentional design as the brand shares many of the ideals as the makers highlighted in the book. Though this article lingered in draft form for months (long after the June event)—delayed by other projects and distractions—it now receives the attention it truly deserves, as a celebration of a book that radiates cultural depth and creative brilliance.
Background
Born in the Bronx to a Jamaican father and a mother from St. Vincent and The Grenadines, Malene Barnett spent her formative years in Norwalk, Connecticut, before making Brooklyn her home—geographically distant from her Caribbean heritage, yet destined to reconnect with it. She studied textile design at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, and later deepened her artistic practice by earning an MFA in Ceramics from the Tyler School of Art at Temple University. It was through her shift from rug design to ceramics that Barnett began to rediscover her roots, embracing new materials and techniques that spoke more authentically to her creative spirit.
This personal journey of reclamation and transformation echoes throughout Crafted Kinship, where each featured artist offers more than just their craft—they share a narrative stitched with ancestral memory, personal resilience, and a collective devotion to cultural representation.
Rimadesio
Rimadesio has carved a distinct identity in the realm of contemporary Italian furniture, celebrated for its minimalist elegance, cutting-edge innovation, and dedication to sustainable design. Established in 1956 by Luigi Riboldi and Francesco Malberti in Desio, just outside Milan, the brand has consistently prioritized craftsmanship and material integrity. Their philosophy centers on creating spaces that evoke calm, sophistication, and intentionality. With a seamless fusion of clean lines, premium materials, and modular versatility, Rimadesio designs interiors that are both refined and remarkably adaptable.
