Rachid Koraichi: An Ode to Intertwined Histories

Rachid Koraïchi, born in Ain Beida, Algeria in 1947, currently resides and works between Tunisia and France. Koraïchi’ s artistic explorations encompass a diverse range of media, including ceramics, textiles, various metals, and painted works on silk, paper, or canvas. Embracing a multi-disciplinary practice as an extension of prayer and divine reverence, his artworks are infused with ideographic symbolism and contemplative forms, drawing inspiration from a myriad of calligraphic traditions and a rich blend of influences, from Chinese ideograms to pre-Islamic Berber and Tuareg art forms. Koraïchi delves into the interconnections between metaphysics, spirituality, and aesthetics, making it an exercise in the process of transformation. He has been featured in prestigious exhibitions, including the 47th and 49th Venice Biennale, and Word into Art at the British Museum in 2006. His works have been widely showcased worldwide and are held in numerous private and public collections, such as the British Museum in London, the National Museum for African Art in Washington, and the Museum of Islamic Arts in Doha. Apart from his professional projects, Rachid Koraïchi has also dedicated his efforts to personal ventures, such as the Garden of Africa. The Garden of Africa, entirely financed by Koraïchi, stands as a memorial resting place in Zarzis, Southern Tunisia. Its primary purpose is to provide a dignified final burial ground for the countless migrants who tragically lost their lives in the treacherous waters of the Mediterranean Sea.