Paboy Bojang

Paboy Bojang is a craftsman and designer who hails from The Gambia. He learned how to sew aged thirteen when he was sent to work in his uncle's tailor shop in his hometown of Serrekunda. There he honed his craft and developed a keen eye for choosing fabrics and colour combinations. Living under a dictatorship forced him to leave his country in search of a better life. In July 2015 after a brutal two-year journey across the desert and the Mediterranean Sea Paboy arrived in Italy. Paboy spent two years living in a refugee camp, before finding work in the prestigious majolica workshop Antica Manifattura di Stingo, in Naples. At the end of 2019, however, due to the slowness of the Italian immigration system to renew his asylum papers he lost his job. In spring 2020 to ease the frustration of being in lockdown Paboy began making cushions covers using fabrics he found and an old sewing machine, he was lent. And as he shared his creations on Instagram, his bold signature style quickly garnered an international following and collaborations with leading names in the design and interiors world.

"In Casa by Paboy" is a small homeware social enterprise based in Naples. The business was founded by Paboy Bojang in spring 2020 during the first Covid pandemic lockdown. Under the guidance of Paboy, the business produces hand-sewn bright sweet-wrapper-coloured cushion covers using 100% Italian cotton, sourced from local suppliers in Paboy’s neighbourhood in the historic centre of Naples. As "In Casa by Paboy" grows, Paboy is determined to employ his fellow migrants living in Naples, providing the opportunities that he felt were so lacking and encouraging others to sell their own crafts online. He hopes to show his fellow migrants that they no longer need to rely on exploitative (and scarcely existent) employers, but can build independent and bright futures.

The Artisan: a crafted tea room Exhibition