Casablanca Art School exhibition opens in Sharjah
The widely successful exhibition “Casablanca Art School: Platforms and Patterns for a Postcolonial Avant-Garde 1962-1987” has now opened in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. As reported by Al-Arabiya English on the 24th of March, the show is curated by Morad Montazami and Madeleine de Colnet, along with key figures from the Sharjah Art Foundation.
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The display includes a comprehensive view of the Casablanca Art School’s (CAS) historical journey along with its impact in reinventing Moroccan art through the blend of tradition and modernity. For the first time in a museum exhibition, the artworks of 21 CAS artists and activists are being displayed, highlighting the movement’s metamorphosis from a city-specific group to a global art movement. The pieces include paintings, designs, typography, and murals along with a wide array of information, collected through research projects in 2020, which details the school’s influence on modernist art in Morocco.
The Casablanca Art School notably redefined Moroccan modern art between 1962 and 1987. By blending Afro-Berber traditions with contemporary methods, it significantly broadened the scope of artistic innovation, impacting various forms of artistic expression both within and outside Morocco. This school’s approach served as a powerful challenge to established art narratives, advocating for a dynamic, inclusive dialogue in the art world. Its legacy, celebrated through this exhibition, underscores its role in pioneering a postcolonial avant-garde movement that continues to inspire global art conversations today.
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Set to continue until June 16, 2024, at Sharjah Art Foundation’s Al Hamriyah Studios, this exhibition invites visitors on a unique journey through time and creativity, inviting a reflection on how art has shaped and reflected social values and identities in Morocco, North Africa and beyond.
Al Arabiya
