Until November 2, Moroccan-Belgian artist Hafida Lamarti unveils her exhibition “Matière et Lumière” at the Rivages space of the Hassan II Foundation for Moroccans living abroad. It is inspired by Morocco by representing its walls, its colorful facades and the narrow streets of the medina.
The Rivages cultural space under the Hassan II Foundation for Moroccans living abroad welcomes the Moroccan-Belgian artist Hafida Lamarti. This unveils its new exhibition “Matière et Lumière”, scheduled until November 2, 2024. It must be said that Lamarti creates works where figuration, still life and abstraction come together. It is inspired by Morocco by representing its walls, its colorful facades and the narrow streets of the medina. His creation is conceived through the light which shapes and structures the material to form constructions that are both rigorous and simple following a “well-studied chance” and a spontaneity in the gesture.
Asked about the title of her exhibition, the artist reveals that it has a special meaning for her. “The title came to me almost instinctively. By observing the works that I selected for this exhibition, I realized that the material, in its multiple forms, plays a central role in my creative process. Each texture, each material used brings its own identity to the work. As for light, it transcends matter, it is the fundamental element which reveals shapes, volumes and colors. It does not just illuminate, it shapes the work, the structure and gives it a unique depth,” she expresses. In the composition of his paintings, the artist seeks an apparent simplicity which conceals a carefully studied balance. Each shape, each element finds its place so that the viewer’s eye circulates naturally in the pictorial space, without being disoriented. “I pay particular attention to the way in which content and form interact.
One cannot exist without the other. When working on the form, I never neglect the content, because together, they create a visual harmony which invites a fluid and contemplative reading of the work,” she explains. Indeed, light occupies a central and fundamental place in his creations. She considers it as the element that structures and shapes the object. “Without light, there is no possible perception of form, volumes, or even matter. It is what allows me to reveal every detail, every texture, and to create the play of shadows and contrasts that bring my paintings to life. In my work, light does not just illuminate the object, it becomes a real protagonist, influencing the way the viewer’s eye perceives the composition. It can make a scene lively or, on the contrary, more intimate and subdued, depending on its intensity, its direction or even its color.
His residence in Belgium profoundly enriched his artistic work. During her studies, she had the opportunity to immerse herself in a multitude of artistic trends, pictorial techniques and above all, to confront a wide diversity of works by visiting museums and galleries. “These meetings broadened my horizons and allowed me to forge links with other artists. I thus acquired a cultural and artistic background which was added to that which I had already started to build upon leaving my native country. This experience, between my country of origin and my country of adoption, this double belonging offers me a unique perspective which continuously nourishes my creation,” she notes.
About the artist
Course After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in visual arts, Hafida Lamarti moved to Belgium in 1988. She graduated in painting in 1993 and in engraving in 1999 from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels. She is also a laureate of the Higher School of Plastic and Visual Art of the city of Mons in 1995. Lamarti completed her career with a teaching aptitude diploma from the Roger Gilbert Institute in Brussels. She has several individual and group exhibitions to her credit. In 2001, she created special postage stamps for a joint issue between Belgium and Morocco. In 2003, his work became part of the collection of the Royal Palace of Belgium.
