It’s both an Ottawa and Canadian success story. Karim Rashid—the world-renowned, New York-based, Egyptian born industrial designer who has created over 4000 products, won 300 awards, and worked with brands all over the world, including Pepsi, Umbra, and Hugo Boss. Despite his global success, at his core the Carleton University trained designer is still Canadian.
“I have now spent the last 25 years of my life practicing my craft in New York, but at the end of the day, I am a Canadian”, says Rashid.
Rashid has designed everything from angular chairs and intricate couches to curvy bottles and small appliances. The Canadian designer’s work is currently on display at the Ottawa Art Gallery in an exhibition called Karim Rashid: Cultural Shaping.
Considered the first large-scale presentation of designer’s work in Canada to date, the products on display emphasize the environmental responsibility and sustainability Rashid is known for.
“I believe that we could be living in an entirely different world – one that is full of real contemporary inspiring objects, spaces, places, worlds, spirits and experiences”, Rashid notes in his manifesto. “Design has been the cultural shaper of our world from the start.”
Karim Rashid: Cultural Shaping runs from October 11, 2018 through to February 10, 2019.
