About Pierre Chapo
Pierre Chapo (1927-1987) was a French designer born into a family of artisans in Paris. Initially aspiring to be a painter, he shifted to architecture after an apprenticeship with a ship's carpenter. He graduated from the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris in 1958. Chapo traveled extensively in Europe and the U.S., visiting Frank Lloyd Wright's studio, which greatly influenced him. Upon returning to France, he established his studio in Clamart and opened La Galerie Chapo in Paris, featuring his work and that of other renowned artists, including Isamu Noguchi. Chapo received a Gold Medal from the city of Paris in 1960 for his craftsmanship.
Influenced by Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand and the Bauhaus, Chapo's modernist designs emphasized wood craftsmanship, evident in pieces like the S11 Chair and the Godot Bed, commissioned by playwright Samuel Beckett. In 1967, he won the Bronze Medal at the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs and moved to Gordes, where he continued his work and his teaching. Diagnosed with ALS in 1983, Chapo passed away in 1987. Today, he is remembered for his exceptional pieces, renowned for their incredible attention to detail.