The Contemporary African Art Fair returns after The Long Pause.....
Above: Katoubia Mosque, Marrakech
A typical Winter's day, when it starts to give way to Spring,
at the end of February in Marrakech, Morocco.
I took the bus from coastal Essaouira for a day in the Red City - specifically to see the
Contemporary African Art Fair 2023
the annual event returning after an absence of two years because of you-know-what.
Twenty galleries showcasing African artists within the walls of La Mamounia -
probably the most famous of Marrakech's elegant hotels.
A day of art, divine Moroccan interiors and extensive walled gardens
in the heart of Marrakech - bliss!
at the end of February in Marrakech, Morocco.
I took the bus from coastal Essaouira for a day in the Red City - specifically to see the
Contemporary African Art Fair 2023
the annual event returning after an absence of two years because of you-know-what.
Twenty galleries showcasing African artists within the walls of La Mamounia -
probably the most famous of Marrakech's elegant hotels.
A day of art, divine Moroccan interiors and extensive walled gardens
in the heart of Marrakech - bliss!
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OK, so let's take a wander through the different galleries;
Following are pictures of the ones I liked and a little explanation of why.
Feel free to research the artists yourself for more of their work and information.
Following are pictures of the ones I liked and a little explanation of why.
Feel free to research the artists yourself for more of their work and information.
Hako Hankson
Born 1968 - Bafang, Cameroon. Lives and works in Douala, a coastal city of Cameroon.
Above: The Power of the Image - mixed media on canvas - 150 x 150 cm
Can't help but feel/see a delightful Basquiat vibe here.
It's the visual storytelling I think with confident coloured and varied brush lines.
Love the spontaneity of drawing with a brush and paint.
Look at the details below; the stories within stories.
Can't help but feel/see a delightful Basquiat vibe here.
It's the visual storytelling I think with confident coloured and varied brush lines.
Love the spontaneity of drawing with a brush and paint.
Look at the details below; the stories within stories.
Two more of his mixed media pieces on canvas...
 The Guardian of Paradise I mixed media on canvas 120 x 100 cm |  The Guardian of Paradise II mixed media on canvas 120 x 100 cm |
Amina Agueznay
Born 1963 - Casablanca, Morocco - lives and works in Casablanca.
Above: Portal #2, 2023
Natural spun undyed wool, cotton, palm husk and palm leaves flat and knotted weave
193 x 151 cm
Natural spun undyed wool, cotton, palm husk and palm leaves flat and knotted weave
193 x 151 cm
 These wall weavings were born out of a collaboration with the architect Salima Naji, who is one of the most prominent advocates for the protection of architectural heritage and the preservation of traditional and local building techniques in Morocco. She uses local natural materials in all her projects, most notably: clay, palm leaves, wood and stone. She always works in partnership with local artisans and craftsmen, taking care to renew and develop their techniques and methods.  |  Above: Lefdam brode #5, 2023 Natural spun undyed wool and palm husk (talefdamt) - Embroidery - 48 X 56 cm.  Above: Lefdam brode #1, 2023 Natural spun undyed wool and palm husk (talefdamt) - Embroidery - 52 X72 cm.  Above: Lefdam brode #6, 2023 Natural spun undyed wool and palm husk (talefdamt) - Embroidery - 55 X 45 cm. |
Feeling an instant 'sense of place' with Amina's pieces.
I'm in-deep with her process - all my senses on alert - I know this journey -
these fibres: wool and palm - I work with them over and over again here in Morocco.
Beginning in the date palm oasis of the Draa Valley; collecting the rough, dusty husks and leaves and combining them with the course, luminously coloured rug wool sourced from the rural souk in Agdz. Using the clipped fleece in white, black and flecked grey fawn - carding it and working with a drop spindle to spin it. Going further and collecting together henna leaves and pomegranate skins to dye the white wool a delicious dark ginger hue.
I'm in-deep with her process - all my senses on alert - I know this journey -
these fibres: wool and palm - I work with them over and over again here in Morocco.
Beginning in the date palm oasis of the Draa Valley; collecting the rough, dusty husks and leaves and combining them with the course, luminously coloured rug wool sourced from the rural souk in Agdz. Using the clipped fleece in white, black and flecked grey fawn - carding it and working with a drop spindle to spin it. Going further and collecting together henna leaves and pomegranate skins to dye the white wool a delicious dark ginger hue.
  |  My first steps exploring date palm fibre with sheep's wool. Sourced and woven in the Draa Valley of Morocco - back in Feb. 2016 |
There's an earlier Blog Post of mine on the wool dyeing process mentioned above,
if you're interested here it is: Dying With Henna
It shows a workshop with Mina; an Amazigh woman we work with on my
Cultural Fabric - Fibre and Textile Journey - INFO HERE -
if you'd like to join me in Morocco for 15 days of fibre and textile heaven.
if you're interested here it is: Dying With Henna
It shows a workshop with Mina; an Amazigh woman we work with on my
Cultural Fabric - Fibre and Textile Journey - INFO HERE -
if you'd like to join me in Morocco for 15 days of fibre and textile heaven.
And back to the Fair....
Mous Lamrabat
Born 1983 - Temsaman, Morocco - lives and works in Belgium.
Above: The Girl with the Cheesy Earing, 2022
Moustapha Lamrabat is a well known fashion photographer creating striking images.
He's worked for Elle, Vogue Italia, Vogue Arabia, GQ Middle East and Esquire.
Have a look at his portfolio on his website - mousmous.com
He's worked for Elle, Vogue Italia, Vogue Arabia, GQ Middle East and Esquire.
Have a look at his portfolio on his website - mousmous.com
Thandiwe Muriu
Born 1990, Nairobi, Kenya - continues to live and work there.
Thandiwe discovered photography at 14, thanks to her father.
She trained herself using books and the internet and began working
as a professional photographer at 17.
She was introduced to advertising photography and shot her
first advertising campaign when she was 23.
Since 2019 she has been concentrating on fine art photography.
She trained herself using books and the internet and began working
as a professional photographer at 17.
She was introduced to advertising photography and shot her
first advertising campaign when she was 23.
Since 2019 she has been concentrating on fine art photography.
The gallery representing her made the right choice when they chose this colour
for their booth walls! Don't you think?
for their booth walls! Don't you think?
Ana Silva
Born 1979, Calulo, Angola - lives and works in Lisbon, Portugal.
Above: Enfant 010, 2022
An artist-poet, she embroiders her work onto scraps of fabric and plastic bags.
Sourcing abandoned materials: food sacks, packaging, cloth remnants and lace;
they are collaged together to form a new surface on which Ana stitches stories of her homeland: difficulties accessing water, Angola's war of independence and the civil war.
Sourcing abandoned materials: food sacks, packaging, cloth remnants and lace;
they are collaged together to form a new surface on which Ana stitches stories of her homeland: difficulties accessing water, Angola's war of independence and the civil war.
Below: detail of the top right corner above.
Many artists in the world have difficulty accessing materials for their work.
Instead they explore their immediate environments;
transforming and repurposing abandoned items, literally embedding thought in material to create poignant, sensitive and beautiful art.
Instead they explore their immediate environments;
transforming and repurposing abandoned items, literally embedding thought in material to create poignant, sensitive and beautiful art.
 Missed photographing the title of this one, sorry. |  Above: Agua 042, 2021 - 170 x 170 cm |
Gopal Dagnogo
Born 1973, Ivory Coast - studied painting in France - based between Abidjan and Paris.
Loved this piece; the colour palette and variety of lines.
The alternating positive and negative shapes.
That active, warm centre and cool surrounds.
Delicious.
(I forgot to take a photo of the title plate - got too caught up in the painting).
The alternating positive and negative shapes.
That active, warm centre and cool surrounds.
Delicious.
(I forgot to take a photo of the title plate - got too caught up in the painting).
Mahi Binebine
Born 1959, Marrakech, Morocco - lived and worked in Paris, Madrid, New York and now Marrakech.
Above and details below: Untitled, 2022
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My favourite Moroccan artist. A painter, sculptor and writer.
His work is presented at the Fair every year and I seek it out.
I love his materials: beeswax, bitumen, charcoal, graphite, paper.
His work is presented at the Fair every year and I seek it out.
I love his materials: beeswax, bitumen, charcoal, graphite, paper.
Abdulrazaq Awafeso
Born 1978, Lagos, Nigeria - lives and works between Britian and Nigeria.
  |  Just for fun. These are made from dismantled pallets; carved and painted. I like the way the shapes are pieced together with staples. |
and then I took myself off for a long relaxing wander around the gardens of La Mamounia.....
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