شخصية اليوم أحدث الأخبار

A woman painting women': a major exhibition on the vibrant Algerian painter Baya examines her effect on Modernism.

Princess Tarfa

“I am relaxed and in another world when I paint” affirms Baya Mahieddine (1931-98), an Algerian modernist who is honored at the Sharjah Art Museum in UAE. Baya is an influential Arab artist to have her work included in the museum's annual Lasting Impressions collection. It is her first museum show outside of her home country.

Her works of art depict bold color and joyful contour of life. This exhibition spans on Baya’s art practice from 1940s to 1990s. Baya's expressive painting style portrays female characters singing and dancing in ornate gowns while being serenaded by musical instruments.

A self-taught artist, Baya’s body of work not only influenced North African Modernism, but was admired by European pioneers as well. She created her own world, influenced by her childhood memories and surroundings, and Algerian and Amazigh ancestors.

Her faith in what she was doing and how she did it was surprising. She did not forget her deep rooted identity, despite of what she underwent, co-curator Alya Al Mulla tells The Art Newspaper.

Born near Algiers, she was orphaned at the age of five, later adopted by Marguerite Caminat Benhoura, a painter and art collector who encouraged her to paint.

Baya remained in France until 1953. One of the myths they're trying to dispel is that she started painting after marrying a musician and starting a family. They have works from that time period , Al Mulla says. Although Baya didn't paint as much but she never stopped as well.

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