Wicker Man

In Boston they may say that a car is wicked cool, but in Nigeria, this VW is wicker cool. Woven by 40 year old artisan Ojo Obaniyi as a means of advertising his work and showing his talent, the car is covered inside and out with raffa palm cane. Obaniyi has 20 years experience weaving Raffa cane and it shows as even the complex curves of the dashboard and steering wheel have been given the wicker treatment.

Missing from the little pickup are niceties like outside door handles and a bulkhead between the two-toned passenger compartment and the tiny load floor in back. Weather protection is likewise in short supply, but that’s okay because like your patio furniture a wicker car is probably all right left out in the rain.

Quoted as saying, “I wanted to prove a point that it is not only the educated elite that can make positive changes in society,” Obaniyi claims his efforts weren’t just meant to drum up business, but also as demonstration of the value of artisans who may lack education but whose talents can still bring benefit to the world. While the question of whether the world actually needs wicker cars is open to debate, the fact that this one demonstrates ingenuity, artistry, and talent, is inarguable.

Source: [DesignBoom]