Ali Maimoun Art Exhibition at El Fenn Marrakech | Essaouira Artist Showcase

Ali Maimoun is one of the figureheads of Essaouira’s celebrated art movement and we’re delighted to be showing a new exhibition of his works.

 

Exploring traditional heritage, customs and rituals through a skilful use of colour, Maimoun’s work has previously been exhibited in Morocco and Europe. Now we’ve teamed up with Galerie SINIYA28 to hang a selection of his paintings at El Fenn. 

 

 

Originally a mason, Maimoun first experimented with stone sculpture before working with wood from the thuya tree, which is indigenous to southern Morocco and Essaouira in particular. After teaching himself to paint, he started exploring his themes on canvas and the use of sawdust and acrylic gives it an almost sculptural feel.

 

Fascinated by trance ceremonies, the artist infuses his work with their psychedelic energy. Genies and supernatural beings come to life: transfigured humans, men and animals with goats’ heads, hybrid forms like spiders, frogs, or salamanders.

 

 

 

‘What fascinates about Maimoun’s work is the unique medium and visual language he has carved out for himself using his past experience as a mason and a carpenter to transition into a distinguished artist with a very strong identity,’ says Hadia Temli, director of SINIYA28.

‘His art speaks to all, young and old, taking the viewer by the hand into dreamlike and subconscious realms that are at once joyful, unsettling, humorous, and fantastical. The rich texture of his paintings draws the eye and sparks curiosity, leaving the viewer to wonder what magical potion he has used to create such striking effects. 

‘He also incorporates the frame as an extension of the artwork to create an expanded space where visual forms can flow freely, and enhance his work, reminiscent of the traditional zouaq painting, or Moroccan wood painting used in doors, ceilings and furniture. 

‘For me, the universality of Maimoun’s work testifies to the power that art from the soul knows no boundaries with communication flowing through magical and soothing channels.’  

Maimoun’s work, along with that of other Essaouiran artists including Mohamed Babahoum, Mostafa El Hadar and Abdelaziz Baki, has drawn art collectors to the vibrant Atlantic coastal town.

 

 

We have long been fans of Maimoun at El Fenn. This untitled piece featuring acrylic and sawdust on wood panel and canvas hangs in the main bedroom of our 3 bed suite. Now you can see his paintings in our new exhibition, which is our latest project in partnership with Galerie SINIYA28 – one of Marrakech’s most exciting art spaces. Established in 2018 with the aim of supporting Moroccan artists, SINIYA28 focuses on showing the work of multimedia and self-taught artists at their gallery in Gueliz with the aim of democratising art and making it accessible.

 

The new exhibition is on show in our colour-soaked meeting room next to the Colonnade bar so if you are staying with us, drop in to see some art before having a tea or cocktail. If you are not a guest at the hotel, please stop by the boutique and ask to be shown the exhibition – anytime from 11am to 5pm daily. And if you want to have your own

Ali Maimoun to hang, his art is available to purchase. Please see the catalogue of his work on display here.