An Exclusive Look at Kelly Wearstler's Upcoming H&M Home Collaboration

"Robell Awake's reinterpretation of the Maryland muse incorporates pay-phone keys as embellishments and pictures the Egyptian deity Neith, who many call the blueprint for the goddess Athena."

"Awake's work all behaves like this, stirring references and ephemera into narrative assemblages, a practice that started on a 2018 visit to Ethiopia."

"Having worked as a carpenter, Awake welcomed functional sculpture as a medium for storytelling, with pieces like Safari interrogating cobalt and copper mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo."

"Awake employs green woodworking techniques, which entail starting from a log, splitting out your parts, and then using hand tools for basically everything."

Robell Awake, an Atlanta-based artist, explores Black craft through his reinterpretation of historical furniture forms. His work incorporates elements like pay-phone keys and references to Egyptian deities. Inspired by Ethiopian thrones and the ladderback chairs of enslaved craftsman Richard Poynor, Awake employs green woodworking techniques to create functional sculptures. His pieces, such as Safari and Quilt Back Poynor Chair No. 1, address themes like mining and cultural narratives, showcasing a blend of artistry and storytelling.

Read at Architectural Digest