Renowned Moroccan painter Mohamed Melehi, 84, dies after contracting Covid-19

The artist died after being admitted to intensive care in a Paris hospital

A visitor at New Waves: Mohamed Melehi at the Casablanca Art School Archives in Concrete, Alserkal Avenue. Angelo Jandri

A view of Melehi's diptych 'Solar Nostalgia'. Antonie Robertson / The National

The exhibition's second section looks at Melehi's development of the wave. Mustafa Aboubacker

Mohamed Melehi, 84, was one of Morocco’s most significant modernist figures. H. Chergui

The wave is Melehi's most emblematic motif, evoking transmission signals, seas and horizons. Courtesy Alserkal Arts Foundation

Mohamed Melehi's 'Sleeping Manhattan' 1962. Courtesy Alserkal Arts Foundation

Melehi’s affinity with the masses is evident in his cellulose paintings, for which he used car paint as a way to incorporate materials familiar to the working classes. Courtesy Alserkal Arts Foundation

Mohamed Melehi's 'Flame', 1975. Courtesy Alserkal Arts Foundation

Mohamed Melehi's 'Volcanic', 1975. Courtesy Alserkal Arts Foundation

The exhibition’s third section establishes Melehi’s practice within a larger movement – the rebirth of a national culture unmoored from its colonial past. Antonie Robertson / The National

Fibulae, Berber jewellery, photographed by Mohamed Melehi. Melehi and the school encouraged students to draw from African and Amazigh (Berber) craft and decorative arts, such as textiles and jewellery, fusing it with geometric abstraction

View of a ceiling fresco by Melehi at Hotel Les Roses du Dades, Kelaa M’Gouna, Deep South, Morocco, 1971-1972. Faraoui and De Mazières Studio. Patrice de Mazières archives

In this photo taken by Melehi, Ali Noury, student of the Casablanca Art School preparing the annual exhibition, Galerie des Beaux-Arts, Arab League Park, Juin 1968. Chabaa family archives

Fresco by Mohammed Chabaa, Asilah Moussem, late 1970s. Safieddine-Melehi archives

The show extends to a mural replica painted by Zayed University students outside of the venue. Seeing Things

Moroccan painter Mohamed Melehi has died at a Paris hospital after contracting Covid-19. He was 84.

Melehi had flown to the French capital for surgery on his ankle scheduled for October 21, but it was cancelled after he started to feel unwell. He was admitted to intensive care at Chu Ambroise Pare hospital, where he died on October 28.

The news was confirmed by the Lawrie Shabibi gallery in Dubai, which represents the artist. "We are so shocked and sad," says Asmaa Al Shabibi, director of Lawrie Shabibi. "We are so grateful that we were able to know him and work with him – the honour was truly ours."

Melehi was one of Morocco’s most significant modernist figures, and his work has been exhibited across the world.

A Mohamed Melehi work in Cromwell Place Gallery in South Kensington, London. Rob Greig for The National

A retrospective of Melehi's work, New Waves: Mohamed Melehi and the Casablanca Art School Archives, recently showed at Concrete in Alserkal Avenue.

Many have paid tribute to the artist on social media following the news of his death.

"Saddened to hear that the Moroccan artist Mohamed Melehi passed away. He had been in intensive care for the last few days, reportedly for a covid-19 infection," Moroccan-American novelist Laila Lalami.

“Sad to hear that Mohamed Melehi passed away today, he was such an inspiration and he contributed in a big way to the Moroccan modern arts, may his soul rest in peace,” another wrote.