“Who I am, Who we are”, mixed media on rubber, 160 x 270 cm
M’barek Bouhchichi’s solo exhibition kicks off at L'Atelier in Casablanca
Drawing inspiration from the philosophy of Emmanuel Levinas, the Moroccan artist approaches the face not as an image to be deciphered, but as a presence that opens itself to the Other and to the Infinite.
Wednesday 28/05/2025
“Who I am, Who we are”, mixed media on rubber, 160 x 270 cm
CASABLANCA - Moroccan artist M’barek Bouhchichi’s solo exhibition “Who I am, Who we are” kickstarted Tuesday at L’Atelier 21 in the economic capital of Casablanca.
In this series of works, M’barek Bouhchichi pays tribute to the Ismgans/Ismkhan community, historically marginalized and known as the cradle of many Gnawa musicians. His portraits awaken a buried collective memory, inviting us not to analyze, but to listen.
Drawing inspiration from the philosophy of Emmanuel Levinas, the artist approaches the face not as an image to be deciphered, but as a presence that opens itself to the Other and to the Infinite.
Painted on rubber sheets, a material associated with colonial exploitation, the works carry a layered history of violence, resistance, and transformation.
Through the use of bitumen, mica, and organic textures, M'barek Bouhchichi gives the surface a vibrant, almost cosmic depth.
The artist deliberately avoids folkloric representation or imagery tailored to the tourist gaze.
He removes expected symbols (instruments, traditional garments) in order to restore to his subjects their full complexity and dignity.
His practice becomes a form of sensitive archaeology, where painting is not merely representation, but an ethical act of recognition—a way of seeing the Other without possessing them.