ICHRAQ & HER ENVIRONMENT

Away from routines and chaos, Ichraq swims in her imagination and creates characters out of people from her environment.
She tells stories and reflects her feelings through visuals to share her perspective on different topics.

From collage to digital illustration, Ichraq is shaping her path among the international digital art’s chart and can stand out by highlighting her cultural knowledge.

Social media is one of the best ways to exhibit digital art. Consequently, it’s closer to saturation, so choosing a precise style will help the artist to be noticeable and easily recognized.
She fits perfectly with the image of such an artist, so Classy Addiction could only get PERSONAL WITH ICHRAQ and discover more about her wonderful spirit.

How did you discover the artist in you?

I was six at the time, wasn’t very good at drawing as a kid, or couldn’t find the art-related homework inspiring or intriguing.
My mum used to do them all.
My late grandad came one day to visit us and challenged me into drawing his portrait. I did, and the result came out impressive.
No one believed it was done by a child. I think that’s what triggered it all.

Are you more interested in graphic design, caricatures, or comics?

I’m a multidisciplinary artist. I like to try and use different mediums ranging from illustration to motion graphics, painting, sculpture, and Installation.
I choose to focus on sharing mostly digital illustrations on social media, but from time to time, I share my other body of work very briefly.
I think of the medium as a way to express an idea, and it really doesn’t matter which one I use. I like them all, and it’s all about which one will depict it best.

You use the same woman and man characters in different artwork. Who are they, and what’s their story?
The female figure is a complex representation of myself sometimes, the women that I met or I came across, mothers, sisters, neighbors that crossed my path and left traces in a way or another.
There are two central representations in my work, the modern minimalistic figure usually and the traditional Moroccan figure.
It’s my way to reflect on our complex identity as North African and Arab women, the multifaceted one, struggling between modernism and tradition.
I always felt that inside, we carry both sides implicitly, the heritage societal figure inherited from the past and the modern form of today. Both contrasted faces inhabit our souls and are part of who we are. As my work reflects mostly personal feelings and emotions, the Man figure is an implicit metaphor to the ones in my life, husband, and father.

A few pieces remind us of Zainab Fasiki’s vibes, so do you believe you both share some mutual thoughts?

I have tremendous respect for Zineb Fasiki, her body of work, and the message behind her illustrations. I believe what we share is what many other women from our generation and social background feel, encounter, and live.

Do you believe Artistic education is a priority in today’s Moroccan society?

I believe that education, in general, is a priority for our society.
An openness to art will complement it. I can’t talk about an Artistic education in Morocco while a big part of our citizens uneducated yet.
I think access to a good education for all and without constraints is the priority.

What are the topics that you enjoy the most?
My artworks directly respond to my surrounding environment and use past, everyday experiences, and real daily facts in a surreal way. By applying a poetic and often metaphorical language, I usually like to explore themes such as Duality, Complexity of feelings, and everything that’s emotionally oriented, hidden words, daily struggles, love, and loss.
Humanity is a complex whole. As for the why, I think that I’m mirroring the feelings and emotions that touch me the most in my daily life and expressing them artistically, as simple as it is.

In which three countries would you love to exhibit your artwork?
Well, I think as I live in the UAE and precisely in Dubai, I’ve always dreamed about exhibiting here first.
I was fortunate enough to make it to the 6th exhibition this year, and I’m beyond happy about it.
Morocco, as my home country, is another dream where I’d love to showcase my work. A project is on the way, probably, and hopefully next year.
As for the third, I frankly haven’t thought of it yet, wherever after the first ones, would be amazing.

WORDS TO CLASSY ADDICTION

A wish for a better tomorrow for all. Far from pandemics, racism, and any other kind of discrimination. And of course, a big Thank you for your time and support, wishing you a path full of inspiration.