Hafida Zizi (born May 25, 1976) is a Moroccan painter and sculptor. She is known for her naïve and often colorful art, in which she depicts the lives of Amazigh women.
Hafida Zizi | |
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 Zizi in 2025 | |
| Born | May 25, 1976 Aghbala, Morocco |
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Life and career
editHafida Zizi was born in 1976 in Aghbala, a town in the Middle Atlas, and grew up in a traditional Amazigh community. Her mother was a carpet weaver, which brought Zizi into early contact with artistic crafts and the use of color. From ages seven to fifteen Zizi attended school, but was interrupted in her education when she was married. She spent the following years with the traditional chores of a housewife and became a mother to three children. Following the death of her mother, who had been a central figure in Zizi's life, and being unhappy with this way of life, she decided to separate from her husband and moved to Marrakesh to live with one of her brothers.[1][2][3]
At the age of 28, Hafida Zizi began her career as a self-taught painter and sculptor. Her first solo exhibition took place seven years later, in 2011, in Imilchil. It was followed by further exhibitions in cities such as Casablanca and Marrakesh in Morrocco, as well as international projects in the US, France and Spain. Since 2015 Hafida Zizi has been running a gallery in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Aït Benhaddou. In 2024, she opened another gallery in Marrakesh.[2][4]
As of 2025 Zizi's works have been displayed in numerous solo and group exhibitions in Morocco and internationally. Between March 2023 and April 2024, as well as from November 2024 to June 2026, the Musée de la Femme in Marrakesh dedicates its temporary exhibition to Hafida Zizi.[5][6][7]
Style and influences
editHafida Zizi is a self-taugh artist and received no formal training. Her painting style is known for its naïvety and the intense use of color.[2][8]
Zizi's art focuses on the lives of Moroccan women, especially the daily experiences of the Amazigh women, and their central role for their communities. She often chooses classic motifs, such as scenes depicting the preparation and eating of food, music and dance. These narrative sequences are typical for Zizi's artwork. A recurring motif, central to her style, are large open eyes, reminiscent of the protective Hamsa, the hand that wards of evil glances.[1][2][8]
Her works are characterized by a combination of contemporary and historical elements that are described as both soft and strong, fantastical and realistic.[5][8]
Zizi paints on canvas and also works with sculpture - jugs, vases and lamps are typical objects for her.[3][4]
Important role models for Hafida Zizi are the artist Chaïbia Talal[3][7] and Saladi.[9]
References
edit- 1 2 Didi, Abdeljalil (1 September 2019). "Une femme de l'Atlas, sur les ailes de son rêve d'artiste peintre" [A woman from the Atlas Mountains, on the wings of her dream as a painter]. Sud Est Maroc (in French). Archived from the original on 26 April 2025. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 Birchall, Ben (8 May 2023). "Hafida Zizi: an ocean of colours". The Good Times. Intrepid Travel. Archived from the original on 15 July 2025. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
- 1 2 3 Bhilat, Aya (1 April 2022). "Hafida Zizi, du tissage des tapis à la peinture" [Hafida Zizi, from carpet weaving to painting]. Dialna (in French). Institute for Leadership and Communication studies. Archived from the original on 4 April 2025. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
- 1 2 Benmhamed, Meriem (30 May 2016). "Hafida Zizi, la nouvelle Chaïbia du Maroc?" [Hafida Zizi, the new Chaïbia of Morocco?]. On Orient (in French). Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
- 1 2 Khayrat, Raja (11 May 2023). "Women's Museum in Marrakesh preserves culture of Moroccan women". JINHA. Archived from the original on 4 April 2025. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
- ↑ "Expositions: Hafida Zizi". Musée de la Femme de Marrakech (in French). 2023. Archived from the original on 27 April 2025. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
- 1 2 "Hafida Zizi au Musée de la Femme de Marrakech" [Hafida Zizi at the Women's Museum in Marrakech]. La Tribune de Marrakech (in French). 5 September 2023. Archived from the original on 11 February 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- 1 2 3 "Recherche de Peintre Artiste Zizi" [Search for Painter Artist Zizi]. Galerie-Creation (in French). Archived from the original on 16 October 2025. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
- ↑ "Hafida Zizi: De la laine aux toiles, une artiste qui peint avec audace le quotidien des femmes marocaines" [Hafida Zizi: From wool to canvas, an artist who boldly paints the daily lives of Moroccan women.] (PDF). MOZAÏK (in French). Vol. 16. France: Dominique AISS. 2024. pp. 62–85. ISSN 2801-1562. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 October 2025. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
External links
edit- Hafida Zizi on Instagram