Rabat – The Hassan II Foundation for Moroccans Living Abroad has officially opened “Ombres de Mon Passé” (Shadows of My Past); a captivating photography exhibition by Moroccan-American artist Noureddine El Warari.
The exhibition, which runs until September 29, presents a collection of thought-provoking images offering a glimpse into the artist’s unique perspective. The opening reception took place on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Espace Rivages, the Foundation’s headquarters in Rabat.
“Ombres de Mon Passé” features a striking collection of black-and-white photographs spanning over four decades of El Warari’s artistic journey. This body of work serves as an intimate narrative, paying homage to the artist’s childhood neighborhood, Derb Assaltane, in which he honors the women who played a significant role in shaping its vibrant community.
In an interview with Morocco World News (MWN), El Warari shared his excitement about presenting his work in Morocco. “I’m so happy that I’m able to actually do this for everyone, to share this experience because everybody should start from their own house…everybody should start from their own street, everybody should start from their own bus, everybody should start from their own roof.”
Having lived in the United States since the 80s, El Warari has built an impressive career in both photography and printmaking.
Reflecting on his motivation for organizing this exhibition in Morocco, he told MWN during the opening that the object of this exhibit “is to really share my experience from my childhood.” He continued, “I started this photography business when I was eleven years old, and I really wanted to study this as a science. My goal was to return one day as a professional photographer and maybe do something for my country.”
After earning a degree in photography from the University of Texas at Austin in 1985, El Warari collaborated with major studios in Los Angeles, refining his craft in both photography and printmaking. His expertise in black-and-white printing was honed during his time at Photo Impact Creative Lab from 1988 to 2003.
“I got into it, and then I studied it. Once I worked in Hollywood for over 25 years, I became more knowledgeable about the business of black-and-white photography, which is a very complicated process,” El Warari explained to MWN.
In another interview with E-taqafa outlet, El Warari elaborated on the emotional depth that black-and-white photography brings to his work. “The use of black and white lends a soulful quality to the image. It evokes a language or conversation that resonates with the spirit. It’s a language both simple and complex,” he detailed.
Now residing in Santa Monica, California, El Warari continues to produce captivating imagery, blending traditional and digital techniques to achieve his distinctive style.
