‘Marrakech is a metropolis formed as a lot by reminiscence as by motion,’ says Touria El Glaoui, founding director of 1-54 Up to date African Artwork Honest. It’s a perspective that has come to outline her platform: one rooted in heritage but insistently forward-looking, dedicated to positioning African up to date artwork and its international diaspora throughout the wider cultural dialog.
Born in Casablanca and raised in Rabat, El Glaoui grew up between two very completely different worlds: the daughter of painter Hassan El Glaoui and the granddaughter of Thami El Glaoui, the final Pasha of Marrakesh. Time spent at her household’s riad within the Ochre Metropolis, surrounded by horses, gardens, color and light-weight, related her to Marrakech from a younger age.
She launched 1-54 in London in 2013, shortly after leaving her function as head of Cisco Techniques’ gross sales in Africa. The place had taken her regularly throughout the African continent and the Center East, sharpening her curiosity in inventive manufacturing throughout areas. Throughout this era, she additionally co-curated exhibitions in London and Marrakech, exploring her father’s oeuvre.
Following the success of the London honest, a New York version adopted in 2015. With 1-54’s core mission centred on making certain African artists are seen inside main establishments, collections and significant discourse, a Marrakech version felt inevitable. It additionally addressed a deeper ambition: to problem the cultural disconnect between North Africa and the remainder of the continent. Since its inception, the honest has offered greater than 600 artists and collaborated with over 250 galleries.
Because the honest prepares to open its seventh Marrakech version, El Glaoui shares her favorite addresses within the metropolis. ‘For these arriving throughout 1-54, or discovering Marrakech past the honest,’ she says, ‘these are locations that replicate how the town lives at the moment: between heritage and up to date tradition, social life and ritual.’
What to see and do in Marrakech, Touria El Glaoui’s ideas
The place to remain
La Mamounia
(Picture credit score: Courtesy of La Mamounia)
‘La Mamounia is inseparable from Marrakech’s cultural rhythm. Past its gardens and structure, it stays a pure assembly level for the town’s artistic and social life, particularly throughout 1-54, when conversations unfold as simply over dinner as they do between exhibitions.’
La Mamounia is situated at Avenue Bab Jdid, Marrakech 40040, Morocco
What to do
Guéliz
The Inexperienced Ray #1, 2024, by Mustapha Azeroual at Loft Artwork Gallery
(Picture credit score: Courtesy of Loft Artwork Gallery)
‘Guéliz is the place Marrakech feels most city and rapid. A busy, lived-in neighbourhood, it’s anchored by galleries resembling Loft Artwork Gallery and Le Galerie 38, which collectively supply a transparent studying of the up to date artwork scene, assured, worldwide and rooted within the metropolis.’
MACAAL
(Picture credit score: Courtesy of MACAAL)
‘MACAAL anchors Marrakech inside a wider continental dialogue. Amongst different initiatives, it’ll current ‘Statues Additionally Breathe’, a significant sculptural set up by Prune Nourry, a strong collective work developed with Nigerian artwork college students, ladies potters and the households of the women from Chibok, celebrating shared reminiscence and resilience.’
MACAAL is situated at Al Maaden, Sidi Youssef Ben Ali, Marrakech 40000, Morocco
Le MAP Marrakech – Monde des Arts de la Parure
Le MAP Marrakech – Monde des Arts de la Parure
(Picture credit score: Courtesy of Le MAP Marrakech – Monde des Arts de la Parure)
‘A discreet however important cease, MAP highlights the artistry of decoration and craftsmanship. The Museum will characteristic the gorgeous exhibition Entre Lieux by Elladj Lincy Deloumeaux, which resonates deeply with the concept of motion, reminiscence and in-between areas.’
Le MAP Marrakech – Monde des Arts de la Parure is situated at 39, 40 Ksibat Nhass, Marrakech 40000, Morocco
Quartier Industriel Sidi Ghanem
Après nº1, 2025, by Salma Cheddadi at MCC Gallery
(Picture credit score: Courtesy of MCC Gallery)
‘That is Marrakech in manufacturing mode. An industrial space turned artistic hub, Sidi Ghanem brings collectively studios, designers and galleries, resembling MCC Gallery. I usually cease for espresso at Jajjah by Hassan Hajjaj, earlier than searching Topolina or spending a design-focused second at Maison Sarayan.’
The place to eat and drink
Bacha Espresso
(Picture credit score: Courtesy of Bacha Espresso)
‘Set inside a powerful palace within the Medina, Bacha Espresso is as a lot about ambiance as it’s about ritual. The expertise is immersive and a pause formed by structure, ceremony and an distinctive espresso tradition.’
Bacha Espresso is situated at Dar el Bacha, Rte Sidi Abdelaziz, Marrakech 40000, Morocco
La Grande Desk Marocaine, Royal Mansour Marrakech
La Grande Desk Marocaine at Royal Mansour Marrakech
(Picture credit score: Courtesy of La Grande Desk Marocaine)
‘For a refined expression of Moroccan delicacies, that is the tackle I return to. The expertise is exact, a respectful dialogue between custom, method and time.’
La Grande Desk Marocaine, Royal Mansour Marrakech is situated at Rue Abou El Abbas Sebti, Marrakech 40000, Morocco
Sahbi Sahbi
(Picture credit score: Pictures by Pascal Montary)
‘Heat, up to date and deeply rooted, restaurant Sahbi Sahbi displays a Marrakech that feels beneficiant and assured. It’s the sort of place that rapidly turns into ordinary relatively than a one-off discovery.’
Sahbi Sahbi is situated at 37 Bd el Mansour Eddahbi, Marrakech 40000, Morocco
The place to buy
Boutique El Fenn
(Picture credit score: Courtesy of El Fenn)
‘A fastidiously curated area the place design, craft and up to date sensibility meet. The choice feels private relatively than ornamental objects chosen for a way they stay, not how they carry out.’
Boutique El Fenn is situated at 2 Rue Fatima Zahra, Marrakech 40000, Morocco
Supply: Wallpaper
