Artists Support

About Ali Maimoun

Born in 1956 near Essaouira, Morocco, Ali Maimoun is considered one of the most emblematic figures of the singular art movement of Essaouira, regrouping self-taught artists. Deeply influenced by African storytelling, popular tradition, magic, tribal rites, and ceremonies, he began his creative exploration with stone sculpture as a mason, then turned to wood, from which he carves remarkable representations of humans and animals.

His visual experiments led to painting, which became his medium of choice to detail a phantasmagorical world, in which mythological characters coexist with scenes from everyday life. Ali Maimoun considers his approach as a process of transmission that explores traditional heritage, with its customs and rituals. Fascinated by trance ceremonies, the artist transcribes their psychedelic energy into his creations. Genies and supernatural beings come to life in his colorful compositions: transfigured humans, men and animals. Often referred to as the painter of animism and fetishism, he is widely recognized for his skillful palette, assembling works with an exceptional homogeneity of color.

For Untitled, 2015 the artist used colored sawdust that he makes into a paste and that gives this work a sculptural quality.

Ali Maimoun lives and works in Essaouira.

About EFA Morocco

EFA Morocco provides marginalized girls in rural Morocco with access to education. By eradicating the logistical, economic and social obstacles to high quality education, EFA enables these young women to fulfill their true potential.

EFA does this by building and running boarding houses for teenage girls close to schools, ensuring the girls can easily attend class every day and obtain a Baccalaureate degree.