Outsiders/Insiders? Artists of Essaouira from the Fondation Alliances and Fundación Yannick y Ben Jakober Collections is a collective exhibition that present an important selection of works from artist originating from Essaouira such as Mohamed Tabal, Ali Maimoun, Regragui Bouslai and Abdelmalek Berhiss. Through a variety of media, previously unseen artworks and archives, Outsiders/Insiders? attempts to reveal how a small port town, exposed to a multitude of influences, became a fertile soil for the rise of a singular creative scene.

The Souiri artists are unclassifiable and heterogeneous. With no academic training, born in a territory that has never been influenced by the Fine Arts schools, they draw their inspiration from the multiple references that the city has to offer. These self-taught creators have thus succeeded in generating a singular iconography and plasticity. Their painting is at once instinctive and thoughtful, simple and rich, mysterious and eloquent. Their works have in common the fluidity of the curve, the profusion of shapes and the richness of colours. The repeated undulating movements inspired by water, breath, music and trance make anthropomorphic forms, dreamlike creatures and protective symbols appear together. An art of perpetual movement and constant regeneration of forms, these works open the door to a mysterious, mystical world of great complexity.

Participating Artists
HAMOU AÏT TAZARIN – YOUSSEF AÏT TAZARIN – RACHID AMARHOUCH – MUSTAPHA ASMAH – ABDELGHANI BEN ALI – ALI BEN ALLAL DIDOUH – REGRAGUIA BENHILA – ABDELKADER BENTAJAR – ABDELMALEK BERHISS – REGRAGUI BOUSLAI – ABDELLAH EL ATRACH – MUSTAPHA EL HADAR – ABDELGHANI HTIHET – ABDELMALEK LAKBIR – BOUJEMÂA LAKHDAR – ALI MAIMOUN – SAID OUARZAZ – REDOUAN KHALID – AZZEDINE SANANA – MOHAMED TABAL – BRAHIM TRIFIS – ABDERRAMANE ZIANI – MOHAMED ZOUZAF

Curators: Janine Gaëlle Dieudji & Meriem Berrada
Scenography: Othmane Bengebara

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