Jiko I (Deep Sea and White Sand) Rug by Kelechi Ejikeme for Swallo Studio

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Jiko i — "the confluence" — deep sea & white sand gbo collection by kelechi.e for swallo
production march, 2025

… Read more Jiko i — "the confluence" — deep sea & white sand gbo collection by kelechi.e for swallo
production march, 2025

about the piece
jiko i, "the confluence — the meeting of the river," available in deep sea and white sand, reflects the peaceful confluence of nigeria's niger and benue rivers in north-central nigeria, where two powerful waterways blend into a calm, lush delta. Its design mirrors the flowing geometry of the merging currents and the serene balance of water at rest. Handstitched from 100% natural jute, each rug embodies the organic uniqueness of its inspiration — a tribute to slow craftsmanship that echoes nature's unhurried artistry.

about the gbo collection
jiko i is part of gbo col. 1, a debut collection of collectible jute rugs by london studio swallo. The collection takes its name from a term of endearment for designer's late grandfather — a man with a lifelong passion for geography — and is a play on "igbo," the eastern nigerian region at the heart of the work. Each rug translates geographical lines, landscapes and regional landmarks of igboland into pattern, reintroducing jute as a deluxe grade material.

studio
kelechi ejikeme is a nigerian-born designer and founder of swallo, a london-based studio whose practice is rooted in the philosophies of migration, anthropology and shifting cultural landscapes. Drawing on the bird's-eye view as both a literal and conceptual lens, the studio explores how territories, cultures and ecologies transform as people and ideas move across them — translating these expansive perspectives into handcrafted textiles that function as documents of place and memory. Gbo col. 1 was shown at collectible design brussels, decorex london, and salon art + design new york, and was longlisted for the dezeen awards 2024 in the textile design category.

minor natural fraying along the textile is inherent to the hand-braiding process and is characteristic of the piece's artisanal construction. This is an intrinsic quality of the work, reflective of its handcrafted nature stamped by maker See less