With its originality and variety of objects, the Oko gallery has been illustrating a certain idea of design and decoration ever since it was founded.
It’s one of those original concepts, one of those original yet simple ideas that are born one day and become obvious. The Oko gallery is the birthplace of a number of good fairies: a luxurious establishment, voted ‘Best hotel in the world’ in 2018 by Tripadvisor; a co-owner who is a fervent lover of design and decoration, and his Franco-Polish partner, who share the same passion; a workshop bringing together a multitude of craftsmen, responsible for making the hotel’s furniture. These are the recipes behind the creation of Oko Gallery, as its co-founder Fabien Martial explains:
“When we decided to build the hotel, we knew exactly what we wanted in terms of furnishings and decoration.”
“All the elements of this establishment are inextricably linked, whether it’s the architecture, the ever-present vegetation, the furniture or the harmony of colours. To ensure that everything works in harmony, we put together a team of skilled craftsmen from the outset, capable of making most of the furniture in the establishment. This was the only viable solution, as it was difficult to find what we wanted on the market, given that our retro-chic references were largely inspired by the 1950s/1960s.”
A workshop in the hotel
So the workshop and drawing boards were set up directly behind the hotel, and in just a few months they were able to create all the furnishings for the 35 bedrooms and all the communal areas. Once this delicate mission had been successfully accomplished, the team of craftsmen was kept on, in charge of continuing their creations. Sofas and armchairs, tables, light fittings, decorative objects and tapestries have all left the workshop, and have been much admired by hotel guests.
“A lot of people wanted to buy some of these objects, which gave us the idea of a dedicated outlet,’ says Fabien Martial. And so, in 2018, the shop was born, named Oko, which means ‘look’ in Polish. While most of the items on display in the gallery are original creations, other nuggets for sale come from collaborations between local artists and craftspeople, or from scouting out rare objects in the four corners of Cambodia.”
“Certain antiques and craft items on offer in the shop are highly unusual,’ continues Fabien Martial, ’but unfortunately we’re finding that such objects are increasingly hard to come by”.
“As far as antiques are concerned, the reason is that sources are drying up over time. As for fine crafts, we’ve noticed that the trade is gradually losing its appeal. Wages are low, irregular and uncertain. As a result, many craftspeople are turning to a better-paid or more stable activity, creating a void in the creation and transmission of knowledge.”
Skills and Know-how
The crisis linked to the Covid-19 pandemic also had an impact on craft production, although paradoxically the number of staff in the Oko Gallery workshops has increased. The Viroth Hotel, which continues to operate despite reduced activity, has seen some of its staff join the workshop to be trained in the arcana of creation. “The team of artisans has grown, recruiting hotel staff on a voluntary basis. Until now, these newcomers had no training in the craft, but they have acquired it with a great deal of seriousness and talent. One of the secrets of our expertise lies in the complementary nature of our skills, with talents coming together naturally in the making of objects. This coffee table is a case in point: a wrought-iron worker made the legs and strapping, while another specialist was entrusted with making the stone top.”
A diverse clientele
One by one, the creations presented in the boutique are explained in detail by Fabien Martial, who is particularly proud of the team behind the gallery. A team capable of boundless energy, ready to create pieces by the dozens according to orders.
“We sell individual items in our shop, but we also work with restaurateurs and hoteliers who call on our expertise. Some present us with their designs or order pre-existing objects, while others have a vague idea in mind and seek our advice on how to realise it, enabling us to create works on demand. Sometimes 20 or even 30 pieces come out of our workshop in one go. Our experience in terms of design, comfort and ergonomics has won us many orders,” says Fabien Martial.
The sales outlet, located just opposite the Viroth hotel, is in itself a charming place to visit: in the small shop, a multitude of objects, carefully arranged according to colour, form a veritable symphony for the eyes. Those who can't make it to Siem Reap can check out the gallery's Facebook page, as well as its soon-to-be-launched website, designed to promote sales not only within the kingdom, but also abroad. All of which will help to raise the profile of the remarkable talent of Cambodian craftspeople.
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