Moroccan Trilogy: 1950–2020

While some museums are closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Apollo’s usual weekly pick of exhibitions will include shows at institutions that are currently open as well as digital projects providing virtual access to art and culture.

Divided into three sections, this survey at the Museo Reina Sofía in Madrid traces the story of Moroccan art since 1950 (31 March–27 September). The development of Moroccan modernism at the end of the colonial era is explored through work by artists of the Casablanca School such as Mohamed Melehi and Farid Belkahia, as well as through the circle of artists and intellectuals in Tangiers who organised in response to the violent suppression of a students’ revolt in 1965. Works by artists such as Mohamed El Baz and Yto Barrada take the story through the 1980s and ’90s, known as the ‘Years of Lead’; the show concludes with the period of popular uprisings and technological development since 2000. Find out more from the Reina Sofía’s website.

Preview below | View Apollo’s Art Diary here

IBM (1962), Mohamed Melehi. Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Doha; © Mohamed Melehi

Escena (1992), Fatima Hassan. Fondation Al Mada; © Fatima Hassan

Sevisses (1961), Farid Belkahia. Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Doha; © Farid Belkahia

Bidoun (without) (2011), Mustapha Akrim. Courtesy the artist and L’Appartement 22, Rabat; © Mustapha Akrim

Talisman rojo (1967), Ahmed Cherkaoui. Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Doha; © Ahmed Cherkaoui