For the first time, Morocco’s Loft Art Gallery will be participating in the highly anticipated Art Basel Paris, from October 18 to October 20. This momentous occasion marks the gallery’s debut at one of the most prestigious art fairs in the world, making Loft Art Gallery the first Moroccan gallery to reach such a platform.
The gallery’s co-founder, Yasmine Berrada, expressed her excitement ahead of the event, calling it a significant step forward for Moroccan art on the global stage. “We have been working towards this for years. Since we started, we wanted to exhibit internationally,” Berrada said in a recent interview with Arab News.
Berrada emphasized how this milestone opens new opportunities for the gallery, its artists, and Moroccan art in general. “We want to travel with our artists, to collaborate with museums, with institutions, and so on,” she said. For the gallery, this debut not only broadens their audience but also cements their reputation. “It means reaching a new category of collectors. It also means that the gallery now has a certain standing and level to be considered one of the biggest worldwide,” Berrada added.
Celebrating the Legacy of Mohamed Melehi
Loft Art Gallery will present seven works by renowned Moroccan modernist Mohamed Melehi (1936-2020), a pivotal figure in the Casablanca Art School and a pioneer in Moroccan contemporary art. Among the showcased works are three pieces that have never been exhibited before, offering art enthusiasts a rare glimpse into Melehi’s groundbreaking contributions.
“We are participating with works from the famous artist Melehi, with whom we worked for 12 or 13 years until he passed. For us, it is a celebration of this great collaboration, all the success we achieved with him, and everything we accomplished together as an artist and gallery,” Berrada explained.
Melehi’s artistic exploration of radical geometric patterns, particularly his iconic wave motif, played a crucial role in shaping post-independence Morocco’s aesthetic. Born in Asilah, Morocco, Melehi studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Tetouan before furthering his studies in New York. His return to Morocco in the 1960s marked the beginning of a revolutionary artistic journey that left a lasting imprint on Moroccan modernism.
Global Fascination with Moroccan Art
Loft Art Gallery’s presentation of Melehi’s work at Art Basel Paris comes at a time of growing international interest in Moroccan art. The global art scene has increasingly turned its attention to the vibrant and diverse artistic expressions coming out of Morocco, with prominent artists like Hassan Hajjaj gaining widespread recognition. Hajjaj, for instance, has been commissioned by major outlets such as Vogue US and The Royal Commission for AlUla in Saudi Arabia, adding to the rising global profile of Moroccan artists.
Berrada echoed this growing interest, noting that Moroccan art has caught the attention of collectors and enthusiasts worldwide. “I can see it when we exhibit outside Morocco, like in France or London. People also often say, ‘Oh, we’re coming to Marrakesh next year or next month, and we want to visit your gallery,’” she said.
With Loft Art Gallery’s participation at Art Basel Paris, Moroccan art continues to strengthen its global foothold, bringing the nation’s rich artistic heritage to new audiences and collectors across the world.
