Mohamed Melehi

Biography

Mohamed Melehi, born in Assilah, Morocco in 1936, played a pivotal role in shaping postcolonial and pan-Arab artists’ networks through his geometric experiments and involvement with the Casablanca School. Beginning his artistic journey at a young age, Melehi studied in Spain and Italy before immersing himself in the vibrant cultural scene of Rome and later New York. His paintings, marked by bright colors and geometric abstraction, gained recognition in major exhibitions, solidifying his place in the American art scene. Returning to Morocco in 1964, Melehi joined the teaching staff of Casablanca’s École des Beaux-Arts, where he collaborated with fellow artists to develop a new artistic practice rooted in the reconfiguration of society. He advocated for the integration of art into daily life and organized cultural events such as the historic “Présence plastique” in Marrakech. Melehi’s work evolved over the decades, with a focus on the undulating wave motif that symbolizes a fusion of identity and modernity. His art has been exhibited worldwide, and retrospectives have celebrated his influential career.