Nicole Nomsa Moyo’s African Legacy Shines with ‘Pearl Jam’ in the Design District.

Nicole Nomsa Moyo, a Zimbabwe-born, South Africa-raised architectural and urban designer now based in Toronto, has brought a fusion of ancestral traditions and contemporary technology to Miami’s Design District. With Pearl Jam, a series of large-scale public sculptures, Moyo honors the techniques of Ndebele culture while inviting the world to reimagine art as a cultural bridge. 

 

  1. The pieces of Pearl Jam seem to invite reflection on identity and belonging. What part of your own personal story did you want to convey through this work? 

 

Through Pearl Jam, I wanted to explore my journey of identity and belonging, shaped by growing up in South African, living across different continents and cultures. The project celebrates Ndebele artistry—where women use beadwork, jewelry, and architecture to express their identities—as a metaphor for resilience and self-expression. By blending ancestral traditions with contemporary design, Pearl Jam reflects my personal story of bridging the past and present, inviting others to connect with themes of heritage, evolution, and cultural unity.

 

 

  1. Art can preserve what time threatens to erase. What specific aspects of Ndebele culture do you feel Pearl Jam helps to protect or revive? 

 

Pearl Jam helps to protect and revive the intricate beadwork, bold geometric patterns, and architectural motifs central to Ndebele culture, which embody a rich tradition of storytelling and identity. These artistic expressions, historically crafted by Ndebele women, are not just decorative but deeply symbolic, representing community values, personal milestones, and cultural pride. By translating these elements into large-scale public sculptures, Pearl Jam preserves their legacy while introducing them to a global audience, ensuring that their significance endures and evolves in contemporary contexts.

 

Credit. Tatenda Chidora

 

  1. What personal or professional sacrifices have you made to reach this point, and how have they transformed your vision as an artist? 

 

Reaching this point has required significant personal and professional sacrifices, including leaving the familiarity of home to navigate life across different countries and cultures. Balancing the demands of a global career with the deep desire to honor my African heritage has often meant stepping into uncharted territories and embracing uncertainty. These experiences have transformed my vision as an artist, deepening my commitment to creating work that bridges the past and present, celebrates cultural resilience, and fosters connection across boundaries. Each challenge has refined my perspective, making my art an authentic reflection of perseverance, growth, and purpose. This was also my first personal project at this scale with a very steep learning curve but I pushed through and made it work. 

 

Credit. Ntikana Ramohlale

  1. If someone could take away just one lesson from Pearl Jam, what would you want it to be and why? 

 

If there’s one lesson I hope Pearl Jam imparts, it’s to embrace pride in who you are and where you come from, especially as it relates to the rich heritage of Africa, using creativity as a medium for self-expression. This work is a celebration of identity, showing how design can honor African traditions while creating space for innovation and global connection. By drawing from Ndebele culture and reimagining it in a contemporary context, Pearl Jam encourages us all to see our roots not as limitations but as powerful foundations for building something uniquely our own.

 

Credit. Kris Tamburello

  1. How did your childhood in Zimbabwe and South Africa influence the way you interpret space, culture, and design? 

 

My childhood in Zimbabwe and South Africa deeply influenced how I interpret space, culture, and design, especially in the context of globalization and colonization. Growing up amidst the remnants of colonial structures and the resilience of African traditions taught me to see design as both a reflection of history and a tool for reclaiming identity. I learned to navigate the tension between preserving indigenous cultural expressions—like Ndebele art and architecture—and adapting to a globalized world. This duality has shaped my approach, inspiring me to create spaces that honor heritage while fostering dialogue between local and global narratives, challenging the erasure often caused by colonization and modernization.

 

Credit. Roxana Moure

  1. What did you discover about yourself when you moved to Canada, and how did that shape your vision as an artist and designer? 

 

When I moved to Canada to study architecture, I discovered the power of perspective—being away from home allowed me to look back at where I was from with fresh eyes. Immersing myself in a new cultural and academic environment deepened my appreciation for the richness of African culture and its profound influence on my identity. This experience reshaped my vision as an designer, inspiring me to blend global and local narratives in my work. It reinforced my commitment to using architecture and design to celebrate African heritage while creating spaces that bridge cultures and foster connection.

 

Credit. Kris Tamburello

  1. If your journey could be told as a visual narrative, what would be the connecting thread that ties together each chapter of your life and work?

 

If my journey were told as a visual narrative, the connecting thread would be discovery—discovering myself, new places, materials, people, and mediums to create tangible work. Each chapter of my life and work has been about uncovering new ways to express my identity and connect with the world around me. From my roots in Africa to my experiences in Canada, every step has been a process of learning, adapting, and finding innovative ways to bring my cultural heritage into the present. Discovery drives my creative process, as I continuously explore new forms of expression to tell now stories through design.

 

Credit. Ntikana Ramohlale

 

 

Photo Credits: The captivating images featured in this article have been sourced from various talented photographers. While specific credits may not always be available, we deeply appreciate their work in bringing these stunning visuals to our readers. If you are the photographer and would like to be credited, please contact us so we can give you the appropriate recognition.