• A visitor at New Waves: Mohamed Melehi at the Casablanca Art School Archives in Concrete, Alserkal Avenue. Angelo Jandri
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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 'Flame', 1975. Courtesy Alserkal Arts Foundation
  • Mohamed Melehi's 'Volcanic', 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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    The show extends to a mural replica painted by Zayed University students outside of the venue. Seeing Things

Art

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

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

Sophie Prideaux
Sophie Prideaux

October 29, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

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 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.

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

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When: October 17 until November 10

Cost: Entry is free but some events require prior registration

Where: Various locations including National Theatre (Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi Cultural Center, Zayed University Promenade, Beach Rotana (Abu Dhabi), Vox Cinemas at Yas Mall, Sharjah Youth Center

What: The Korea Festival will feature art exhibitions, a B-boy dance show, a mini K-pop concert, traditional dance and music performances, food tastings, a beauty seminar, and more.

For more information: www.koreafestivaluae.com

While you're here
List of alleged parties

 

May 12, 2020: PM and his wife Carrie attend 'work meeting' with at least 17 staff 

May 20, 2020: They attend 'bring your own booze party'

Nov 27, 2020: PM gives speech at leaving party for his staff 

Dec 10, 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary Gavin Williamson 

Dec 13, 2020: PM and his wife throw a party

Dec 14, 2020: London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey holds staff event at Conservative Party headquarters 

Dec 15, 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz 

Dec 18, 2020: Downing Street Christmas party 

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