Farid Belkahia
Source: Web (myluxurylife.ma)
Arts & Music • Historical Archive • 🇲🇦 Morocco • 11 views

Farid Belkahia 🇲🇦

فريد بلكاهية (Known as "Belkahia")
Pioneer of Modern Moroccan Painting, Director of the Casablanca School, Sculptor
Born Nov 15, 1934 🇲🇦 Marrakech, Morocco
Passed Away Sep 25, 2014 Marrakech, Morocco
Lifespan 79 years old
11 views
Notice / Correction
"To copy Western modernism is sterile; our modernity must spring from the earth, the leather, and the ancient signs of our ancestors."

Archival Overview

Founding father of modern contemporary art in Morocco who directed the Casablanca Art School (1962-1974), pioneering the use of raw animal vellum, henna, and Amazigh symbols.

Biographical Record

Farid Belkahia studied fine arts in Paris and Prague before returning to Morocco in 1962 to assume the directorship of the École des Beaux-Arts of Casablanca. Alongside Mohamed Melehi and Mohamed Chebaa, he spearheaded the historic 'Casablanca School' revolution.

Belkahia radically rejected Western easel painting and oil on canvas, turning instead to ancestral organic materials: raw lambskin vellum, copper, saffron, and natural henna dyes. His works synthesized Amazigh geometric iconography and Tifinagh calligraphy into world-acclaimed modern abstraction.

Key Life Milestones

1969

The Historic Jemaa el-Fna Open-Air Exhibition

Brought contemporary art to the people by hanging abstract canvases in Marrakech's central square.

1969

The Historic Jemaa el-Fna Open-Air Exhibition

Brought contemporary art to the people by hanging abstract canvases in Marrakech's central square.

1969

The Historic Jemaa el-Fna Open-Air Exhibition

Brought contemporary art to the people by hanging abstract canvases in Marrakech's central square.

2014

Establishment of the Farid Belkahia Museum

Inaugurated his monumental foundation and museum preserving Moroccan artistic heritage.

2014

Establishment of the Farid Belkahia Museum

Inaugurated his monumental foundation and museum preserving Moroccan artistic heritage.

2014

Establishment of the Farid Belkahia Museum

Inaugurated his monumental foundation and museum preserving Moroccan artistic heritage.

Memorial Guestbook & Tributes

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Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial
Family Garden Mausoleum at the Farid Belkahia Foundation
Palm Grove (Marrakech), Morocco
GPS: 31.6500, -7.9500
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