The Casablanca Art School's Impact on a Generation of Modern Artists

Mohamed Melehi Untitled 1983 © Mohamed Melehi Estate

Tate St Ives proudly presents a groundbreaking exhibition that delves into the transformative era of artistic resurgence following Morocco's independence. As the first museum in the UK to embark on this exploration, Tate St Ives unveils the profound influence of the Casablanca Art School's experimental teaching methods in the 1960s and 1970s.

Under the guidance of visionary leaders like Farid Belkahia, Mohammed Chabâa, Mohamed Melehi, and others, the Casablanca Art School pioneered a new path for socially engaged modern artists. This avant-garde network forged by the school fostered a generation of trailblazers, sparking a Moroccan "new wave" of art. 

▲ Mohamed Melehi Untitled 1983 © Mohamed Melehi Estate
Bringing together the works of 22 artists, this exhibition showcases the vibrant diversity of the Moroccan art scene during this period of artistic innovation. From mesmerizing abstract paintings and captivating urban murals to applied arts, typography, graphics, and interior design, the exhibition exemplifies the breadth of creative expression that emerged from this era.

In addition to the stunning artworks, the exhibition also offers a rare glimpse into the print archives, vintage journals, documentary photographs, and films that provide invaluable insights into the artistic landscape of the time.

A collaboration between Tate St Ives and the Sharjah Art Foundation, the exhibition will debut in February 2024 at the Sharjah Art Foundation. It stands as a significant moment in international research on the Casablanca Art School, with a collaborative project initiated in 2020 by the KW Institute for Contemporary Art and the Sharjah Art Foundation in partnership with the Goethe-Institut Marokko, ThinkArt, and Zamân Books & Curating.

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