Musk Studio #meetthemaker

Anyone who knows me, knows I struggle to start the day without my moka pot of coffee, so no surprise that this image caught my attention on instagram! 

It is the work of Casablanca based artist and designer Fadwa Azhari . I was immediately drawn to it,

and I started looking a little further. I loved the understated design and humour that runs through her work with its contemporary interpretation of some typically Moroccan images.

I decided it was time to get to know her a bit better here on the blog!

So lets start at the beginning

#1 TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF AND MUSK STUDIO

Hi, my name is Fadwa Azhari, I am 28 years old and live in Casablanca - I have always dreamed of having my own brand of stationary and posters ever since I studied at Art School . . . it was always at the back of my mind! In the meantime I started a blog as a creative outlet to escape the stress of my day to day work. This blog (musk-elil.blogspot.com) was part journal, part creative laboratory - a place to post my writing, photography and other things I loved. I was often invited to write about events and exhibitions, and every time i did that I told myself that one day I would be in an exhibition myself! Then about a year and a half ago I was contacted by a friend who was looking for local designers for a concept store - this project never actually took off but it was the push I needed to get me started! And today Musk Studio is officially 1 year old!

Moroccan Pop

#2 WHAT IS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND YOUR DESIGNS?

I draw inspiration from Moroccan culture in general, but always trying to reinterpret it with a fresh look. I grew in a family of Maallems (masters in Arabic) in sculpture and wood painting. I was always fascinated by the work of my grandfather (whom I did not get to know) and my uncles.I have not had the opportunity to learn this art, but it is perhaps for that reason that I like to revisit our traditions by transforming this heritage through my own vision. That being said I don't like to limit myself to a single aesthetic and I also let myself be carried by my inspiration and state of mind in the moment. For example my Moroccan Pop collection is quite fun, colourful. with lots of play on words and a mix of languages. While my second Moroccan Minimal Collection is much more minimalist and monochrome, very Moroccan meets Scandinavian design.

Moroccan Minimal

#3 WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF THE DESIGN PROCESS FOR YOU?

The best moments are when I stumble across a word game and imagine how I can exploit and develop the concept visually - but unfortunately that doesn't happen every day! I also love to create small stagings of every day objects which I then photograph - as in the case of the AnaNas, Sabah, Lfol, Sukara and Hob posters - and yes, that is real pieces of sugar that I used!

I try to work as much as I can by hand even if the final process is digital. At the moment for example I am working with traditional patterns which are randomly chosen and then I rework it while experimenting with several techniques. I am also trying to learn lino cut as I find it graphically very interesting even if it is a difficult process to print.

#4 DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE DESIGN?
Pixel Tarz in the Moroccan Minimal Collection!

Pixel Tarz

#5 PLANS & DREAMS FOR 2017?

A list !! I hope to have a 3rd collection of posters out - explore larger formats and work on unique pieces - have more exposure in concept stores both in Morocco and abroad - I would love to have a collaboration with a brand - have a wonderful trip to inspire me - and finally have a small Musk Studio workshop  . . . nut that might take a bit longer!

#6 WHERE CAN PEOPLE BUY YOUR DESIGNS?

In Morocco my work is currently on display at 2 stores: 33 Rue Majorelle in Marrakech, and La Galerie de l'Aimance in Casablanca. I also take orders via my FaceBook page as well as my shop on Etsy : Musk Studio Shop

#7 AND FINALLY {of course} - YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE FOR COFFEE (OR TEA)!!

Bondi Coffee Kitchen in Casablanca!

Bondi Coffee Kitchen

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Mouad Aboulhana . . .and my moroccan art collection

Well, the term "collection" is possibly a slight exaggeration, but it is something I aspire to, and with this in mind I decided to make a start.

These three prints by Mouad are in fact that start - I received them minutes before I left on my last visit to Tangiers at a hastily arranged coffee shop assignation - all very exciting, involving numerous messages, messengers and motorbikes!!

They are now sitting unfurled and unframed on my office table.

And here they are again below as a group and a little easier to view!
  The iconic moroccan babouche with a typical textile design in the background.These prints are full of references that I relate to. 

So a little more about the artist: Mouad Aboulhana

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.

One of the images he is most known for is his "Tarbouch Kid"

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.

(copy credit via:Re-volt Mag, ISSUE 16 - AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015)

VIEW MORE HERE

or follow Mouad on

Instagram

&

Facebook

to keep up to date with his work and 

exhibitions (he has a solo exhibition coming up in Dubai soon!)

shouf!{look!}

I love the rich traditional aesthetic that Morocco has to offer -  its colours, pattern and textiles. The more time I spend there, the more I appreciate how contemporary artists are interpreting these traditions. I would love to include more of this work in my shop shouf{look} - so watch this space and I will let you know as soon as we have prints available online.

 And to conclude, another favourite. 

Remaining true to my South African roots I think this will have to be added to my gallery soon . . .