From Guarding Art to Creating It: A Met Security Guard's Incredible Journey

The story of Armia Khalil is one of dreams, determination, and an unexpected opportunity. After moving from Egypt to New York in 2006 with little except for $400 and his sculpting tools, Khalil's aspiration was to succeed as a sculptor. Unfortunately, reality didn't align with his aspirations.

In Egypt, Khalil had studied fine arts through his cousin's support, and he hoped to reach new heights in America. Initially, his journey was fraught with challenges, including sharing a cramped living space with construction workers in New Jersey and dealing with unstable employment.

Reflecting on his past optimism, Khalil remarked, "I came without a real plan—mainly dreams and a one-way ticket." Despite his struggles to find work in his chosen field, he perservered, finding a semblance of solace and inspiration in art.

In 2012, Khalil found himself at the renowned Metropolitan Museum of Art—not as an artist, but as a security guard, at least allowing him to stay connected with art. "I was in desperate need of a job due to my debts," he shared. "I kept sending out emails without prior security experience. Working at the Met felt like a blessing."

Even with a stable job, Khalil couldn't shake his yearning to create art himself. "Often, I'd reflect within the galleries on why my artistic pursuits hadn't succeeded," he reminisced.

A turning point came a few years back during a casual exchange with a man Khalil misjudged as merely another visitor. This man was Akili Tommasino, the Met's curator in the Department of Modern and Contemporary Art.

Khalil, casually noting his Egyptian heritage, was surprised when Tommasino, after asking about his work, revealed his position. Tommasino had initiated a search in 2018 that lasted six years, seeking art with echoes of ancient Egypt, only to discover a hidden gem in Khalil's creations.

This encounter was something Tommasino described as 'destined by higher forces.'

Khalil's deeply detailed sculpture, patiently crafted over five months from ash wood, is now part of a Met exhibit entitled 'Flight into Egypt: Black Artists and Ancient Egypt, 1876–,' on display until February 17.

Khalil expressed immense disbelief that his artistry could be showcased in such a prestigious venue. "It was an unreal experience," he recalled, noting the impact it had not only on his career but on those who visited the exhibit specifically to witness his work.

For the time being, Khalil remains a recognizable figure, a guard safeguarding his own masterpiece. "Losing him as a guard would certainly be a noteworthy loss," Tommasino remarked humorously.

The sight of his creation displayed at the Met brought Khalil to tears, evoking a flood of past memories and emotions. "It's crucial to keep dreaming and hold onto hope constantly," he urged, his journey serving as an inspiring testament.