The multidisciplinary artist presents two sculptural works at the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir as part of Formed by Dialogue, while preparing for a series of ambitious international projects, including a monumental installation in Dubai.

For Johanna van Parijs, art is about creating objects filled with meaning, beauty and symbolism. Exhibiting in Egypt has reminded her that art has always been part of human life. “To see my work surrounded by thousands of years of history, where past and present come together, is something very powerful,” she shares.

Currently exhibiting at the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir as part of Art D’Égypte’s Formed by Dialogue, van Parijs presents two works, the Conversation Chair and Nut, a sculptural partition. Created in her workshop in Costa Rica, the pieces have travelled to Cairo, where they now find themselves surrounded by thousands of years of Egyptian history. “Being invited to exhibit at the Egyptian Museum was incredibly special,” she says. 

The Conversation Chair is conceived as an invitation to pause. Rather than functioning simply as a piece of furniture, it encourages an experience of connection, whether with oneself or another person. It can be occupied alone as a moment of reflection or shared, creating a dialogue that requires no words. Nut, meanwhile, takes a more architectural approach, drawing inspiration from ancient Egyptian symbolism and incorporating references to palms, lotus flowers, papyrus, hands and combs. Together, the two works explore how objects can become conduits for human connection, memory and cultural expression.

This exhibition is quite personal for van Parijs who admits that the constant pursuit of new ideas and projects can sometimes leave little room to appreciate the journey itself. “Sometimes you forget to appreciate where you are. This experience feels like a moment to be fully present,” she reflects.

Reflecting on her time in Egypt, the Belgium-born, Costa Rica-based artist describes the experience in one word: “Timeless”. As she explains, “What fascinates me about Egypt is how something created thousands of years ago can still make us feel something today.”

Seeing her work installed inside the museum brought that connection into sharper focus. “These pieces started as small drawings in my studio in Costa Rica. They were made by hand, travelled across the world and finally found their place in this extraordinary setting,” she recalls. “It was a moment to stop, look around and appreciate the journey.”

That journey is now taking her towards an ambitious new chapter, with several large-scale projects in development. Among them is a monumental installation in the Dubai desert, alongside two separate commissions in Los Angeles. One will take the form of a nine-metre-long sculptural wall incorporating an integrated closet and treasure closet, while the other will explore the possibilities of large-scale sculpture.

Photography: @jademadoe\Instagram