Ibrahim Said's 'Shaping Time' at Yossi Milo Channels Fustat Ware and Ancient Egyptian Forms
Ibrahim Said's exhibition titled Shaping Time is currently on view at Yossi Milo in New York, with the event scheduled to continue until January 9. Hailing from Old Cairo, Said's artistry is inspired by Fustat ware, a type of pottery from an ancient district in Cairo. His creations explore complex notions of time, drawing from Islamic and ancient Egyptian influences, while redefining what a vessel can be. The sculptures delve into themes of afterlife customs and the delicate balance between permanence and transience. Featured pieces include Delta Vase (2025), Floating Vase – Gold Twist (2026), Floating Vase 34 (2026), Shaping Time 3 (2026), and Floating Vase – Delta 2 (2026), all crafted from white earthenware. Additionally, a New Years Stack group is presented, implying that the shaping of objects affects our perception of time.
Key facts
- Shaping Time opens at Yossi Milo in New York and continues through January 9
- Ibrahim Said was born in Old Cairo and grew up around the Pottery Village workshops
- Fustat ware comes from Fustat, the ancient Islamic capital of Egypt and a major trading center
- Fustat ware typically features luster glaze producing an iridescent effect, sometimes with incised designs
- Said completed the inaugural Metropolitan Museum of Art and Vacheron Constantin Artisan Residency
- The residency spanned 18 months and gave Said access to The Met's collection
- Delta Vase (2025) is white earthenware, 24 x 13 x 13 inches
- Floating Vase – Delta 2 (2026) measures 20 3/4 x 8 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches
Entities
Artists
- Ibrahim Said
Institutions
- Yossi Milo
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Vacheron Constantin
- Colossal
- Yossi Milo Gallery
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Locations
- New York
- United States
- Cairo
- Egypt
- Fustat
- Old Cairo