Marrackech Biennale 2016

THREADS OF LIFE, Riad Adore

Marrakech – After attending the opening ceremony of the 2016 Biennale with the established artists and then going to the hip spot at L.blassa, I returned to the Medina to check out projects featuring artists who love Morocco so much they have chosen to make their life in the city of Marrakech, and with their art housed in Riads especially converted for the duration of the Biennale.

First I visited the solo exhibition of Gordon Davidson at Riad Adore near Dar el Basha. For his exhibition “The Threads of Life,” Gordon has used images referencing scientific research and the use of ‘fractals’ both at the macro and micro levels. These images act as a reminder of our origins and that we are all made of the same “threads of life” whether we are Arab, African, Hispanic, or even Scottish (as is Gordon).

Gordon said that his art patterns “echo the repeated movements and images found in so much Islamic art, but in a less formal and structured way.” He is a classically trained artist from Edinburgh, and his work here is featured on large aluminium modern paintings. I found that the medium of aluminium really explores the richness and depth and intensity of colour in a way not found on canvas. As well as mixed media paintings, he also showed a series of reliefs inspired by Moroccan topography.

RIAD ADORE

Newly restored by the celebrated architect Christophe Simeon, Riad Adore is a cool, chic, contemporary riad in the very best area of the Medina, close to the souks, the monuments and the main square. This sparkling new riad is light, bright, calm and peaceful and is the perfect venue for hosting this exhibition.