From the Library: Pierre Chapo

Pierre Chapo’s furniture embodies many of the tenets that we value in design. The quality of each piece is evident in its construction and materiality where thick and solid pieces of wood are expertly joined to form the most balanced and simple designs. The pieces have a ruggedness and refinement that might be explained by the amazing story of his travels in Europe, North America, and Japan. And is chronicled by the book Pierre Chapo by Magen H Gallery.

The story began in Europe where Chapo and his wife Nicole, strapped their Model T to a boat and shipped it across the ocean to Honduras. They slept in the car which functioned as a sort of camper van and even hunted along the way, driving through El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico. They eventually made their way to the US where they zig-zagged around the Southwest, exploring Tucson, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles, and then finally to New York. After leaving New York and settling in Paris, he and Nicole set up a gallery where they sold his furniture alongside other well-crafted design goods like Noguchi lamps. Chapo continued to design and produce pieces into the 80’s and his work continues to live on through Chapo Creations which still makes oak and ash pieces in France.

Images courtesy of Magen H Gallery. Words by Dante Iniguez.