Abdelfettah Karmane was born in 1969 in Sidi Slimane, Morocco, and showed an early talent for art. He studied at the School of Plastic Arts in Rabat and held his first exhibition at the age of 14 in his hometown. Since then, he has exhibited successfully in Morocco, France, Italy, Portugal, and Russia.
He works in various pictorial techniques including oil painting, acrylic, and watercolor. His work is characterized by a hyper-sensitivity to color, texture, light, shape, and density. He is inspired by the ancestral heritage of Morocco, and his still life paintings often feature traditional carpets, porcelain, zelliges, feminine jewels, and typical fruits like prickly pears and watermelons.
His realism, hyper-realism, and surrealism all focus on constructing a pictorial structure based on real subjects. The quest for balance seems to be what motivates his work. He says that the color of the watercolor does not appear in the watercolor palette, and that the white in the painting is that of the blank canvas, showing his deep understanding of the medium.
“Karmane’s work is hyper-sensitive to the color, texture, light, shape, density and even spiritual vibrations of the chosen subject.”
His still life paintings are so detailed that viewers feel they could touch the objects. In his portraits, he captures the essence of his subjects, distilling their suffering, wisdom, and nobility. His landscape paintings show an acute sensitivity to atmosphere and exceptional control of the palette.
He sometimes abandons realism to devote himself to surreal works where creative freedom is more fulfilled. His work has been exhibited at the Lawrence-Arnott Art Gallery in Marrakech and other prestigious venues. He is considered one of the most accomplished young artists of his generation.
Q: What defines Abdelfettah Karmane’s artistic style?
A: His hyper-sensitive approach to color, texture, light, and form, combined with his deep inspiration from Moroccan heritage. His work ranges from realism to surrealism, always seeking balance and capturing the spiritual essence of his subjects. He works across oil, acrylic, and watercolor with equal mastery.