Le Lab Experimental Atelier, founded by art collector Rasheed Kamel is exhibiting a collection of works by Egyptian artist and sculptor Khaled Zaki, in collaboration with Cairo-based Ubuntu Art Gallery, at the prestigious Nomad Circle, St. Moritz edition.
In a first for the country, Le Lab in partnership with the art gallery; founded by Ahmed El Dabaa, have joined forces to exhibit a collective of Khaled Zaki pieces, including Le Lab’s The Wave; initially exhibited at Dubai Design Week, in addition to various pieces of sculpture and art; courtesy of Ububtu Art Gallery. The show highlights the cohesive, and intriguing evolution and artistic journey of the renowned creative, that celebrates art in its many forms. From functional art and functional sculpture, to charcoal on paper art and sculptures of bronze and stone.
Khaled Zaki’s selection for NOMAD St. Moritz all share one common root, they all stem from, revolve around or explore the Egyptian identity; its history, present, future and essence. The inspirational source of these seemingly different works, is a simple and well-balanced mix of elements from the Naqada Civilisation, Ancient Egyptian sarcophagi and the natural shape and form of the controversial fish.
The Wave is a continuation of the concept behind both the Sarcophagus series and the Resurrection. Its form smoothly portrays lines similar to that of an Ancient Egyptian sarcophagus and like the resurrection pieces, it consists of six – in this case malleable – pieces which can be arranged and combined differently to suit various uses and spaces.
Rasheed Kamel’s vision for Le Lab has always been to promote Middle Eastern artistic dialogue to and from Egypt. In his effort, one that has taken the young gallery to exhibitions in Dubai and St. Moritz to date, in addition to welcoming the works of Lebanese furniture designer and architect Georges Mohasseb in the gallery’s inaugural exhibition, to a multi-sensorial event celebrating the works of iconic Alexandrian artist Ahmed Morsi, in collaboration with Gypsum Contemporary gallery and celebrity chef Avec Karim.
Nomad is the first travelling showcase for collectable design and contemporary art. Following its successful 2017 debut appearance in Monaco, NOMAD has travelled to different destinations of architectural significance and natural beauty, to host innovative fairs that explore the dialogue between design, art, architecture and nature. NOMAD is an event designed for collectors, interior designers, architects and art and design professionals.
Khaled Zaki (b. 1964, Suez, Egypt) is an international multidisciplinary visual artist known for his accomplished sculptures, paintings and functional designs .
His work draws upon numerous sources, ranging from ancient Egyptian statuary, Italian renaissance sculpture, and the legacy of Egyptian modernism. He holds a Master’s in Restoration from the Faculty of Archaeology at Cairo University and studied Sculpture at the Al Khonany Museum of Art in Giza. During the period from 1988 until 1997, Zaki followed his university education with an extended stay in Pietrasanta also known as the “City of Artists” where he amassed his extensive knowledge and formal skill in the processes of making sculpture.
Le Lab Experimental Gallery is currently exhibiting the work of talented creative artist and sculptor Omar Chakil, in a solo exhibition titled, ‘Suite Anima’. The exhibition, the first for the artist in Egypt; is based on Chakil’s appreciation and artistic manipulation of the indigenous Pharaonic alabaster. The solo exhibition is also the first time such a substantial and impressive collection of Chakil’s pieces have been exhibited collectively, creating a striking and affecting show that has been very well received.