The Hassan II Foundation for Moroccans Residing Overseas is hosting the exhibit “Retrospectives, Volume I: 1001 Dreams; Volume II: Sediments” by Moroccan-American artist Yasmina Alaoui. This display runs from May 15 through June 14, 2025, at Espace Rivages. It kicks off with an inaugural ceremony on the very first day, celebrating the creations of an artist who was born in New York and educated in fine arts both at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris and at the College of William & Mary in America. Her collection combines elements of photography, illustration, and paint. Employing various artistic methods, her pieces explore themes like traditional versus contemporary concepts.
Elaborating on her decision, Yasmina Alaoui delves into her varied practice, enabling her to “investigate an extensive array of mediums and subjects.” For this showcase, her inaugural collection is both representational and visually appealing. She notes that these pieces are characterized as intricate, personal, and delivered with subtlety. Conversely, the subsequent set consists of expansive compositions straddling the line between painting and sculptural art; they are tumultuous, unpolished, infused with abstract Arabic geometric patterns,” she clarifies, highlighting how these two extremes coexist in harmony within her methodology as “poles under tension but fundamentally interconnected.”
The organizers point out that Yasmina Alaoui “works across various mediums such as painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, film, and music composition.” As stated in a press release, her creative methodology, enriched by the blending of multiple media forms and cultural inspirations, earned her the prize for cultural diversity at the Dakar Biennial in 2018.
Starting from 2003, the artist has partnered with photographer Marco Guerra for their ongoing project titled “Tales of Beauty and 1001 Dreams,” which has frequently been showcased globally. Currently dividing time between New York and Marrakesh, she has increased her participation in international exhibits—both individual and group shows—since 2008. These artworks have been displayed across various locations including Senegal, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the U.S., Italy, and multiple Moroccan cities.
Dedicated to the principle of diversity, Yasmina Alaoui aligns herself with modern aesthetics while centering her Moroccan heritage within her creations, notably through the choice of materials. “This blend of two distinct realms shapes who I am and, I think, lends exclusivity to my art,” she states.