At the PAD Paris event, Galerie Gastou showcases Omar Chakil's latest alabaster creations, blending traditional Egyptian influences with modern design aesthetics.
Artist Omar Chakil Showcases Luxurious Egyptian-Inspired Collection at PAD Paris
Artist Omar Chakil is set to showcase his latest collection at PAD Paris, from April 2-6, at Galerie Gastou's booth 54. The collection, titled 'Transcendence', is a breathtaking display of Egyptian-inspired artistry, crafted from pigmented Egyptian alabaster and onyx, often combined with Italian and Iranian marble [1].
Chakil's work draws inspiration from iconic Egyptian symbols, such as the scarab beetle, the upright, hooded cobra (Uraeus), and the crocodile god of Egypt (Sobek) [2]. These symbols are creatively transformed into playful, uplifting installations, such as the scarab-shaped coffee table, the Uraeus Birth Chairs, and the Sobek Bench, which features an illusion of a fossil created using alabaster quartz crystals.
The collection aims to create a dialogue between East and West, past and present, sacred and contemporary. The theme of Transcendence is reflected in the series' focus on rebirth, protection, and the afterlife, inspired by ancient Egyptian afterlife rituals.
In a departure from his usual style, Chakil incorporates more Ancient Egyptian iconography in this collection, yet it remains captivating and innovative. The series includes seating, a coffee table, bookshelves, and decorative items, such as the Colorama Canopic jars, imagined as a place to store dreams that were not fulfilled during life, for taking with you. These jars are inspired by the alabaster jars used by the Ancient Egyptians, with different colors representing the chakras [1].
Chakil's motivation for his work is to tell a story and create pieces that transcend functionality. By using massive slabs of Egyptian alabaster onyx, he elevates everyday objects into art that transcends their original utilitarian purpose, creating a dialogue between history, materiality, and modern creativity [1][2].
In the modern era, Egyptian alabaster was cast aside and seen as an inferior material compared to imported marbles and rose onyx from Italy and Iran. However, Chakil's work revives the beauty and significance of this material, once used by Pharaohs.
For more information about the collection, visit padesignart.com and omarchakil.com.
[1] [Source 1] [2] [Source 2]
- Within the grandeur of PAD Paris, from April 2-6, at Galerie Gastou's booth 54, Omar Chakil unveils his latest collection, 'Transcendence,' extending his artistic exploration to encompass not only fashion-and-beauty elements, such as the Colorama Canopic jars, but also home-and-garden pieces, like the scarab-shaped coffee table and Sobek Bench.
- As the Transcendence collection evokes a conversation between the past and present, East and West, Omar Chakil's creations transcend the boundaries of traditional artistry, breathing new life into the undervalued alabaster, merging it with fashion-and-beauty items like makeup mirrors and home-and-garden fixtures, such as bookshelves and furniture, thereby redefining the definition of lifestyle.
