Painter
Aissa Ikken
Born in Khenchela, Aissa Ikken has devoted his painting to the sign, a passion rooted in childhood and in three formative memories: his grandfather's tales, and his grandmother's tattoos and hanbel weavings. Like a historian or an archaeologist, he brings to light what has long been buried in memory, giving his painting its own poetic conception of humanity's relationship with destiny.
The artist
A poet himself, he composes works that seem at first indecipherable, in a palette mainly of ochre, brown, blue and black. Amazigh signs, tifinagh letters, tattoos, motifs from carpets, southern ramparts, zellige, arabesques and jewellery are scattered or clustered across the surface, enlarged, distorted or reduced, in a spirit close to the hurufiyya. "Berber signs were my first imprints; they gave me the love of drawing," he says. "Every territory carries a heritage that does not die but evolves into other heritages. Everything holds together, everything is one."
Alongside his art he long served at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, directed the Royal Institute for the training of youth and sports staff, led the opening ceremony and graphic identity of the 1983 Mediterranean Games and was adviser to the Minister of Culture. He first exhibited in Tunis in 1974, and is also a sculptor and jewellery designer.
Available works
Frequently asked questions
Where can one acquire a work by Aissa Ikken?
Each work may be reserved from its page via WhatsApp, or viewed beforehand at ARTWORKS, our gallery in Casablanca (Luxoria n°5, Avenue Ahmed Charci), during a private viewing by appointment.
What is the price of a work by Aissa Ikken?
The works currently on offer are priced at 2 500 DH.
How is the authenticity of the works checked?
No work is offered without first being physically examined by the gallery. For a living artist, authenticity is confirmed directly with the artist; for a deceased artist, a certificate of authenticity and provenance documents are required. Our authenticity protocol
Can the works be delivered?
Yes: within 48 hours in Casablanca and Rabat, three to four days elsewhere in Morocco; international shipping is quoted on request. Payment is made on delivery, by bank transfer or by cheque.
Acquire a work
Private viewing
in Casablanca
See the works of Aissa Ikken at ARTWORKS Gallery, by appointment.
Book a viewingARTWORKS Gallery →