Lalla Essaydi’s exhibition “Les Femmes du Maroc” is a collection of unique portraits of Moroccan women and can be seen at the prestigious Tindorff Gallery here in Marrakech. Lalla Essaydi was born in Marrakech, lived as a young woman in Saudi Arabia. She studied her art in Paris and Boston and lives now in New York.
Lalla Essaydis photographic portraits capture a truly feminine spirituality, solitude and purity. Her subjects are always dressed in ghost like white (White being the colour worn by Moroccan women whilst in mourning.) she photographs these women in relaxed poses reminiscent of a bye gone era, similar to the 18th century orientalist artists who were fascinated with exposing the veiled women of the Harem. Lalla Essaydis work continues to expose the mystery to the western mind that surrounds the rituals of Muslim women in the present day.
She adds to each portrait a calligraphic message, Poetical statements are written across the photographs in beautiful sepia toned henna, across the faces and bodies of the women, blending into each niche of the background and into every fold of the fabric in their simple garments. Changing her portraits from breathless simplicity to high drama. Her work like the women she photographs is dressed in many layers.
Her unusual technique is to photograph, hand write the calligraphy, and re photo, re write, re photo, until perfect.
You will find the Tindouf Gallery at
22, Boulevard Mohamed VI, Marrakech.
+212 (0) 524 430 908
For more information contact