Moroccan Artists at Mathaf Arab Museum of Modern Art

Gallery 8, Women in Society, highlights iconic works that challenge representations of women’s identity. Depictions of everyday life and family are core elements of understanding the region’s culture, such as in the works of Chaibia Talal(1929-2004). 

The self-taught Moroccan artist looked at women in society through her personal experiences and depicted everyday life through bold color paintings and ink drawings. Her artwork, Les Tisseuses De Chtouka (1987) is displayed in G8.

Gallery 11 presents an independent identity of abstract expressionism inspired by cultural practices. A central characteristic of the artistic practices on display is their rhythmic flow, creating a visual encounter of color and material. This gallery features several pieces by Mohamed Melehi (1936-2020), including, Rejected (1962) and Blue Moon (1982). Melehi was a pioneering figure of Moroccan modernism known for his evolution of geometric abstraction. 

Influenced by the communicative nature of music and the beaches of his hometown in Morocco, Asilah, Melehi developed his most recognised motif during the 1960s; the waves.