Jun 17, 2018
M'hamed Issiakhem’s 90th Birthday
This Doodle’s Key Themes
Today’s Doodle celebrates M’hamed Issiakhem, the distinguished painter famous for his muted palette and revolutionary vision who’s often credited as the father of modern Algerian art.
Issiakhem’s painting style was a blend of abstract expressionism and traditional portraiture that has influenced Algerian and North African painting for years. His innovative paintings are exhibited in museums around the world and in public spaces across Algeria and North Africa.
Education grounded his craft. Issiakhem studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, then co-founded the National Union of Plastic Arts (UNAP) and devoted his time to teaching the next generation of painters. He designed national banknotes and postage stamps, in addition to creating incredible murals and frescoes that can still be seen in the streets of Algiers.
Issiakhem’s bold advocacy for the arts had an immense impact on Algeria’s film and literature. Before his death in 1985, he famously said, “A country without artists is a dead land; a society is forever in a vital need for creative artists.” His special gift has inspired many, leaving an enduring legacy in Algeria and beyond.
Happy birthday, M’hamed!
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