WILD LIFE

Marie Jose Gallery presents Wild Life, a new exhibition featuring the work of artist Ghizlan El Glaoui, in collaboration with Kate Braine. Drawing upon her Moroccan heritage and natural affinity with the irrepressible spirit of wild animals, El Glaoui captures magnificent beasts in bold, graphic fashion. Strong colours sit against deft but confident black outlines, precisely rendered to create a striking whole. Tigers, lions, leopards and even horses are lovingly captured on canvas in a style that is both arresting and sensitive. Their richness and deep, textural qualities transport the viewer into a realm as exciting as that of the creatures- and the artist- themselves.

El Glaoui has recently incorporated the botanical into her oeuvre, producing a series of works focusing on majestic palm trees and leaves. Much like her animal paintings, they depict nature at her simple best, the fronds and foliage taking centre stage as exquisite decorative elements.

Showcasing her understanding of light and its magical properties, El Glaoui has also made several prismatic LED lightboxes. These vibrant creations, consisting of a colour-changing backlight shining through canvas, further enhance her paintings’ layers, the various hues bringing new aspects and details to the fore.

El Glaoui is the daughter of globally acclaimed painter Hassan El Glaoui, to whom she owes much of her artistic flair and passion. Having grown up in his studio, at times even becoming his muse, her path towards a life of vibrancy and exoticism was established early on. It is testament to her great talent that she has created a body of work so uniquely hers, uniquely wild.

Complimenting El Glaoui’s pieces will be a selection of ceramics by London-based artist Kate Braine. Braine also draws inspiration from the natural world, forming semi-abstract plants and sea creatures that are imbued with a sense of vivacity and movement through her skilful manipulation of clay. Together, El Glaoui and Braine’s pieces will engage in a dialogue that is as energising as it is decorative.