Mon Village, Chtouka 1990

Editor: Here we have Chaibia Talal’s 1990 painting, “Mon Village, Chtouka,” an acrylic piece just bursting with color! It feels like looking at a vibrant tapestry, with these bold figures emerging from a joyful, almost dreamlike space. I'm curious, what's your interpretation of this wonderfully spirited creation? Curator: Spirited indeed! You know, when I look at Chaibia's work, I see a world filtered through the lens of pure emotion. Forget stuffy art school rules! She was a self-taught artist, and her work just pours out unfiltered. Notice how she uses color. The reds are so bold, unapologetic. For me, it evokes the feeling of a hot Moroccan sun, the vibrancy of village life. These aren’t literal portraits; they’re emotional landscapes, aren't they? I imagine Chaibia wasn’t just painting what she saw but, rather, what she felt. Don’t you get that too? Editor: I definitely feel that! The faces are so stylized, it's like she's capturing the essence of the people rather than their specific likenesses. Curator: Exactly! It's about the feeling, the soul. And, look closer; see how the shapes almost dance on the canvas? It’s like she’s saying, ‘This is life, it’s messy, it’s colourful, it’s beautiful!’ I reckon she would find something quite amusing if we got too hung up on the ‘meaning.’ Editor: So true! I appreciate how it invites us to connect with art on a deeply personal level. It reminds me to embrace that child-like freedom in art-making and not overthink everything. Curator: You know, Chaibia reminds us that art isn't just about skill; it’s about letting your soul speak. Keep that thought close; you'll go far!