Aboulhana: A young artist infatuated with pop

(MENAFN- Arab News) I am always on the lookout for fresh local/regional talent. It seems to me that mass media only starts covering a local or a regional artist once they are famous. I like to go back to the essence and that is supporting talent. When I discovered Moroccan pop artist Mouad Aboulhana I was shocked that I was the first media person from the Arab region to contact him; anyone can see he's very talented but sadly there is no proper exposure. What really intrigued me is his work ethic and persistence to make his art visible to the world. He's a hard worker and soon the world will be exposed to his beautiful art. Just remember that you saw it here first on Arab News.
We sat down with Mouad for a chitchat:

How would you describe your style?
My style is pure Moroccan pop art and when we say Morocco it is in fact a large melting-pot of cultures and traditions from the Berber the Arabs to Islam and international modernity. So you can say that my style is a mix of all these beautiful influences.

What are the techniques you use?
For me techniques always evolve as your art matures! From graphic art using different inks on paper to street art and painting on the walls of Medina of Tangier (North of Morocco) using stencils and spray paint. It is only three years ago that I started experimenting with digital art by mixing illustrations and images.

Can you tell us how you ended up being an artist? Was it something you always knew you were or did it come to you later in life?
In my career nothing was ever easy. Nothing happens without a dream or a set goal.
In my humble beginnings my problems were mostly financial: how to get money to finance my art my travels my material and products also communication and to be able to promote my work. Initially I had to work for free in order to be able to showcase my creations.
I registered in an educational center to be a high school art teacher. They sent me to a far city called Taza which is 900 km (all night on train) away from the big cities like Casablanca Marrakech and Tanger. The distance and weariness from the long travels didn't make me give up on my dreams. I would travel all night to Casablanca for the day and go back to Taza the next day to teach the kids.
After 2 years of coming and going I started receiving e-mails and messages from galleries concept stores and events inviting me to showcase my art and even sell it! In some cases I did live painting sessions and even worked on space installations and decoration.
Right now I feel like a young contemporary artist infatuated with pop art and hopefully one day I'll be on the A-list among the masters and famous ones.

What was the first artwork you saw that caught your attention and until now it's a source of inspiration?
The Marilyn Monroe portrait by Andy Warhol. It was a source of inspiration a source of simplicity and complication at the same time. I learnt so many things from that collection.

Tell us about the 'Tarbouch Kid' artwork? What does it represent?
Tarbouch Kid is a symbol for pure Berber-Arab-Muslim personality. This kid represents me in so many ways he represents the community. Sometimes people ask 'Why he is sad?' but in reality he is not sad at all; maybe he is shy or simply tired because life in our society is hard. Also kids are never two-faced they always say the truth! Technically the character was taken from a smart perspective and angle: his clothes are simple with his red Fez Cap and in the background a Zellige mosaic.

What was the most challenging artwork you ever did?
The 'Guerrab Trooper' painting on wood. The hardest thing about it was brainstorming and looking for thought-provoking and shocking concepts and ideas. Also an important part of the final process is having the courage to show it. It took a little over a month to finalize it!

What are the top 3 highlights of your career to this date?
Being a reflection of my society being brave and presenting thought-provoking and shocking ideas/artwork with respect toward all.

What kind of music do you listen to? And do you listen to music while working?
Yes I love listening to classic rock like Scorpions Tuareg music like Tinariwen and sometime Gnawa Mogwai Dubstep.
What are your thoughts on the art scene in Morocco?
We the artists of this generation are trying to reach out to a wider and international audience. We are merely a group of traditional artisans but with a modern and contemporary spirit!
The art scene in Morocco is becoming more open-minded but there are no laws nor rights for artists. Art in Morocco needs more nurturing and people to invest and believe in its potential.
I can say that the artists work with 5 percent of Moroccans and 10 percent of foreigners who live in Morocco and our public is yearning for local authentic and creative minds and more original art.

Do you ever have any political messages translated into your art?
Not too much but I leave hints. I try to take the people away from the stress of life. I like to highlight the things that they never pay attention to it in their daily life. Actually most of my art is comical even though sometimes I might insinuate otherwise.

Your Daft Punk artwork is incredible. Take us through the process of creating it?
It's an updated version of the first artwork called Daft Kamanja created in 2011 for the Kahenas concept store. The light-bulb moment to improve that artwork happened in the middle of a discussion with my friend Amr Sabra who loves Gnawa music and who each month organizes an event called 'The Pages' in Casablanca. I thought about adding a second character via illustration (the black helmet) and that enlightening discussion with my friend inspired me to include Gnawa clothes and the music instrument called Guembri. Three consecutive nights of work and and the artwork was ready!

Tell Arab News about your next move. Where can people find you?
I will be visiting Dubai very soon for an exhibition and it will be my first time in the region! Find my work on Instagram: https://instagram.com/mouad_aboulhana/