Moroccan artist Aicha Abouhaj with her 'Hikayat' artwork
Doha, Qatar: Moroccan artist Aicha Abouhaj has always found inspiration in the cultural traditions that have shaped her identity. With her latest artwork, Hikayat, she explores the deep connections between Qatar and Morocco, highlighting the importance of preserving cultural heritage through art.
The artwork, a 100×80 cm acrylic on canvas, is not just a painting; it is a tribute to the stories that women have been telling through these ancient art forms for generations.
“Hikayat brings together the endangered traditions of Qatari Sadu weaving and Moroccan Amazigh tattoos, two practices that are passed down from mother to daughter and are facing the risk of disappearing,” Abouhaj told The Peninsula.
Moroccan artist Aicha Abouhaj during her live painting performance in Doha recently. Pics: Marivie Alabanza / The Peninsula
Abouhaj explained that each symbol in her latest artwork tells a woman’s life story, her experiences, her joys, and her struggles. Hikayat is the ancient Moroccan tradition of storytelling.
“The intricate patterns of Sadu weaving, traditionally done by Qatari women, and the powerful symbols of the Amazigh tattoos, worn by Moroccan women, are deeply personal forms of expression, “ she said.
In the painting, the artist from Casablanca honours this legacy by combining the two traditions into one compelling image. These elements, according to Abouhaj, are woven into the composition as a reminder of the strength and importance of women in both cultures.
A mural created by Moroccan artist Aicha Abouhaj during the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture Jedariart project in Rabat.
“The symbols are not just decorations,” Abouhaj added. “They are stories, memories, and emotions carried through generations. With this artwork, I want to celebrate the women who created these symbols and keep their legacies alive.”
“Through Hikayat, I want to emphasize the role of art in preserving heritage and transmitting the stories to future generations,” she told The Peninsula.
Abouhaj performed a live painting of Hikayat during the Gallery Five Home showroom inauguration at Giardino Mall, The Pearl recently.
This collaboration between Qatari and Moroccan cultures is not new for Abouhaj. As part of the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture, she worked alongside Qatari artist Mubarak Al Thani in the Cubist Landscape project in Rabat. This initiative brought together three Qatari and three Moroccan artists to create mural installations, symbolizing the fusion of the two cultures.
“The project was all about collaboration,” said Abouhaj. “We shared ideas, learned from each other, and combined our traditions in a way that felt natural and meaningful. It was a celebration of the connections we have, not only as artists but as people who share a common cultural heritage.” Through her work, Abouhaj continues to bring attention to the importance of preserving the cultural traditions of both Morocco and Qatar. Whether through acrylic paintings or large murals, her art shows that cultural heritage is not just from the past, but something that continues to shape the future.
