A Conversation with Gabriella Khalil

Gabriella Khalil is a creative director, curator, and entrepreneur celebrated for her immersive approach to design, hospitality, and cultural programming. Khalil spent more than a decade working in galleries and curatorial spaces before co-founding Palm Heights, a boutique resort on Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman. As a new member of our Honorary Committee, Gabriella joined us for a rapid-fire round of questions on dream collaborations, recent projects that pushed her creatively, and more.

Art + Design Favorites 

If you could add one museum piece to your personal collection, what would it be?

I dream of having a piece of art by Rashid Johnson.

Which design era or movement most inspires you right now?

I am really focused on the 90s era right now for design. The pared down, yet bold palettes and simplicity in forms are what is speaking to me in design.

Who is an emerging artist or designer you think everyone should know?

I wouldn't say she is emerging at all, but I think that Kennedy Yanko is an incredible artist and her sculpture work is so powerful. I also think the portraiture artwork by Jason Bard Yarmosky is exceptional.

What’s a piece in your collection that always sparks conversation?

It is not my personal piece, but the Frank Oelke, Pedus Double Bed that I sourced at the building entrance for the WSA project is a big conversation starter and creates a lot of fun reactions.

If you could collaborate with any artist or designer, living or dead, who would it be?

Gaetano Pesce.

What’s your favorite space you’ve ever visited for its design or art alone?

Villa Necchi Campiglio, Milan.

Lifestyle

What’s the first piece of art or design you ever purchased?

The first real piece of design I ever purchased were vintage Afra and Tobia Scarpa leather Monk dining chairs.

Which design-related Instagram accounts or newsletters are your must-follows?

Max Radford Gallery Substack, Chair.only, Bruises Gallery, Somerset House, and Spaces of My Dreams.

Plugs

What’s a project from the past year that pushed you creatively?

I have been working a lot recently on production and set design which has been really exciting to explore how I apply my creative and visual language to an event type of setting. This is everything from set design for the NYFW runway to huge brand launches.