Mimi Shodeinde's NRIN vases evoke women through aluminium and wood

Born in London, Mimi Shodeinde, a British designer of Nigerian origin, has materialised a set of structural vessels handcrafted from wood and metal to honour the silhouette in “softness of the female form”.

The figurines, also known as NRIN vases, have a name inspired by the Yoruba dialect, meaning female – “Obinrin”. These structures are usually based on a central wooden column made of oil-mixed ash.

A trendy piece of cast aluminium has climbed around the wooden structure of the vase and takes a flowing pattern. The aluminium surface has an uneven specification as tiny spats of pollen lay uncharted on the outer side.

The London-based designer, Shodeinde wanted to incorporate two major ideas in the vase’s construction; the flowing part of the aluminium resembles a woman’s anatomy, while the wooden frame represents stability, strength and appreciation of African art forms.

The designer narrated: “The flowing metal form of the NRIN vessels echo the softness of the female form whilst the mirrored finish nods to inner reflection, allowing both sides to be seen as one.”

“Organic gestures balance with the harmony of materials to create contemporary sinuous shapes that are both elegant in form but functional,” Mimi certified.

The NRIN vessels can be bought directly from the designer’s personal website. The use of aluminium can also be compared with the unlimited reciprocity of a woman, as the non-ferrous metal is infinitely recyclable, inducing a circular economy.