In a bold fusion of art, sustainability, and feminine power, Nespresso South Africa has unveiled “MATRIARCHS”, an extraordinary solo exhibition by renowned mixed-media artist Pam Friedman, now showing at Candice Berman Gallery in Rosebank.
This inspired collaboration, launched in celebration of Women’s Month, goes far beyond the canvas. It’s a living, breathing tribute to the quiet strength of women and their power to transform – themselves, their circumstances, and the world around them.
Art Born from Waste, Power Born from Reinvention
Every piece in MATRIARCHS is constructed from upcycled Nespresso capsules, transformed by Pam’s hands into intricate visual narratives. Each sculpture is a layered metaphor for resilience – a discarded item reborn as beauty, just as women so often redefine themselves and their surroundings in silence and strength.
“Reinvention is not just a necessity—it’s a feminine superpower,” says Pam Friedman, whose year-long creative journey with Nespresso culminated in this emotionally-charged body of work.
The exhibition’s opening night on 31 July 2025 was an intimate affair attended by thought leaders, creatives, and sustainability advocates. Guests were captivated by an exclusive short film delving into Pam’s process and the heart of Nespresso’s sustainability ethos. Keabetswe Legodi, Nespresso South Africa’s PR & Social Media Specialist, introduced the evening with powerful words:
“This is what regeneration looks like: giving voice to artists, meaning to materials, and power to purpose.”
Sustainability as a Human Story
More than just an environmental statement, MATRIARCHS tells a deeply human story—a narrative that Nespresso is proud to share. By supporting local female artists and embracing circular design, the brand demonstrates that luxury today must reflect values, not just aesthetics.
Nespresso’s global Gender Strategy 2030 reinforces this commitment, striving for gender-transformative change by challenging systemic inequality and creating new platforms for women to lead.
The Matriarchs Speak
In MATRIARCHS, we see not perfection, but power in process—stories of survival, regeneration, and grace. From sculpted silhouettes to richly textured pieces, Pam’s work is a gentle roar from the margins, reminding us that beauty is not found in flawlessness, but in courage and transformation.
Through this exhibition and the brand’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and social empowerment, Nespresso invites us all to look at waste, at womanhood, and at our own capacity for change—differently.
📍 EXHIBITION DETAILS
🗓 Now Showing Through August 2025
📍 Candice Berman Gallery, 223 Jan Smuts Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg
🎟 Free public access during gallery hours
