TIPTOE by Dalel Ouasli
What does TIPTOE look like through an artist’s eyes?
Constantly in search of inspiration, we gave artists carte blanche to reinterpret our pieces within their own worlds. A way to bring together two creative fields and discover TIPTOE from a different perspective. Today, we’re sharing the work of Dalel Ouasli. Her work is rooted in a contemporary reinterpretation of antiquity with a connection to the past and to nature.
Bor n in 1987, Dalel Ouasli lives and works in Aix-en-Provence. From a very young age she was driven by the desire to create and therefore followed the path of art. Essentially self-taught, she also took classes in the Paris studios of Marie Boisson and Jean-François Courteaux to perfect her technique. Her work is rooted in a contemporary reinterpretation of antiquity with a connection to the past and to nature. Antiquity is for the artist a fundamental foundation of the life of beings on earth, a return to the source that evolves and tells itself differently. She pays it a “statuary” tribute, and celebrates the sun, nature and the Mediterranean.
Hello Dalel, could you introduce yourself?
After six wonderful years in Paris, I recently decided to move back to the South of France, where I grew up. What I love about the South is its very distinctive light, its closeness to the sea and nature, and the rhythm of life here, which is unique.
I have always had this taste for images, drawing and artistic handwork within me. I am largely self-taught, and at the end of my studies in a completely different field, I had the chance to take painting classes in various Parisian studios to refine my technique and experiment with others. I then took fascinating art history courses at the École du Louvre, and this year I have just completed my studies at the École des Arts de la Sorbonne.
Photo credit: Jeanne Perrotte
How would you describe your creative world?
I think my creative world brings together several aspects. I love everything related to Mediterranean art, especially Etruscan and Hispano-Moorish art, Greco-Roman architecture, as well as the history and culture of the Mediterranean basin, which are a constitutive part of my identity. I also find it interesting to make the curves of nature interact with the lines of the human face and body. I have always been struck by the connection between humans and nature.
Where do you draw your everyday inspiration from?
My world is shaped by a deep return to nature and to what is elemental. My references are diverse, but I draw most of my inspiration from mythology and ancient Greece, and I am extremely sensitive to the nature that surrounds us. In my painting, I therefore use many shapes and colors that refer to these themes and evoke the Mediterranean. I can also become fascinated by modern and contemporary artists, such as Alexander Calder, Andrée Vilar and Jean Touret at the moment.
NOMA by Dalel Ouasli
Tell us how you wanted to reinterpret a TIPTOE object as part of this collaboration?
I wanted to bring my shapes and my universe to life on the wooden tabletop without completely altering the NOMA desk. So I chose to create soft, harmonious, and aesthetic shapes to represent a face in profile, leaving the wood visible, which I find very beautiful. I used black paint, with clean, light, and spontaneous lines that invite us to meditate.
Why did you agree to this project with TIPTOE?
I found the idea of being able to express myself on furniture interesting—an idea I had already considered and an experience I will undoubtedly repeat! And TIPTOE is an eco-responsible, high-quality brand offering beautiful, durable products whose spirit I really like: both contemporary and timeless. Finally, I find it incredibly clever and innovative to be able to use the removable table legs however we like.
Do you have a recent creative discovery to share with us?
I recently discovered the artist Elvira Solana, and I have great admiration for her work, especially her murals, which captivated me. Her works are both highly poetic and imbued with incredible strength. I also really love Florian Touzet’s photographic work, which is absolutely sublime; he has an eye for highlighting light and capturing details with poetry and delicacy. Atelier Bufille works with clay with undeniable talent and perfect mastery. They create superb ceramics that not only evoke traditional forms but also reflect a contemporary, original design.
Any address in Aix-en-Provence you would recommend?
If you’re a brunch and great coffee aficionado, I recommend Mana in Aix-en-Provence, which has an excellent menu!
Credit: bureau_apo