Discovering Essaouira's Outsider Art Movement

In Essaouira, where the Atlantic breeze curls through ancient alleyways, a unique kind of magic unfolds. The sun sets over terracotta rooftops while artists breathe life into their creations using a paintbrush or a chisel on wood. This isn't your typical art scene. There are no white walls or perfectly polished bios here. Instead, what we find is raw and vibrant—Morocco's outsider art movement, where untrained artists are quietly rewriting the rules of art.

A New Definition of Moroccan Art

In Essaouira and the surrounding Berber regions, artists like Mohamed Babahoum, Mostafa El Hadar, Abdelaziz Baki, Ali Maimoun, and Khadija El Fahli are reshaping the landscape of Moroccan art. Their work is instinctive and deeply personal, often infused with memories, symbols, and surreal imagination.

Many of these artists began creating later in life. They draw not from textbooks but from what they remember, from music, movement, and myth. Their materials are often improvised—using cardboard boxes, furniture, goatskin, and scrap wood. The result? Art that pulses with life.

Why Outsider Art Matters

Outsider art—often referred to as Art Brut—emerges from beyond the mainstream art world. It is created free from formal training, academic pressures, and market trends. This freedom is what makes it so powerful. Outsider artists are not concerned with fitting into an established mold. Instead, they draw upon their personal experiences, often utilizing whatever materials they can find to express themselves.

This form of art feels close to the earth and free from ego. It opens up vital space for voices that are often ignored or excluded: older artists, neurodivergent creators, women, and those from rural or working-class backgrounds. Outsider art demonstrates that creativity requires no permission.

In Essaouira, a city characterized by waves of migration, music, and creativity, the outsider art scene has found a rich environment to flourish. These Souiri artists may be unclassifiable in their style, but their “Naive” work is overflowing with curves, bold colors, and captivating symbolism. Slowly, the world is starting to take notice.

Mustapha El Hadar, Ph. SR, 2013 - Source: Mustapha El Hadar: The Subtle Dagger

A prime example is Mostafa El Hadar. He is a visionary whose dreamlike, large-scale compositions are realized through Indian ink on goatskin and canvas. The textured layers of his work feel ancient and ritualistic. His figures float through landscapes, beautifully suspended between the earthly and the spiritual. These artworks do not merely hang on walls—they linger in the imagination.

Source: Mohamed Babahoum Original Art-Days Preparation — ESPLORA

Another remarkable artist is Mohamed Babahoum. He didn’t begin drawing until he was 70 years old. At first, he attributed his work to his grandson. Now, at nearly 90, he proudly signs each piece. His whimsical depictions of rural Morocco—complete with goats in trees and vibrant marketplaces—are rooted in life yet lively and full of spirit.

Source: Ali Maimoun - Siniya28 Gallery

Then there's Ali Maimoun, who conjures anthropomorphic forms along with an energy rooted in ritual. His canvases and sculptures hum with Berber symbolism and African influence. Often large in size, his creations capture feelings that are beyond words.

Source: IMG_8748.jpg (2961×2220)

We must also highlight Abdelaziz Baki, whose studio is home to fantastical creatures—part-bird, part-fish, and part-dream. He finds surfaces to paint on, whether furniture or chipboard. His joyful artworks are filled with dots and protective eyes, making each piece feel like a joyful ritual.

Source: Facebook

Lastly, consider Khadija El Fahli, based in Rabat. Her self-taught approach reflects her childhood in Morocco, filled with symbols and evocative atmospheres. Her works feel like stories whispered during candlelit evenings.

These artists, once largely unknown, are now stepping into the light. The 2021 exhibition Outsiders/Insiders? at MACAAL (Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden) in Marrakech celebrated the richness of Essaouira’s outsider art scene. The exhibition included works by Mohamed Tabal, Ali Maimoun, Regragui Bouslai, and Abdelmalek Berhiss, highlighting how this small coastal town has become a creative crossroads—a fertile ground for art that flows between tradition and dream.

Want to See It for Yourself?

Essaouira isn't just a city—it's a living gallery. Over the last few decades, it has quietly emerged as an artistic haven. It started when Danish art enthusiast Frederic Damgaard fell in love with the soulful works created by local farmers and fishermen. He opened the town's first gallery in 1988, nurturing what has become one of Morocco's most magical art scenes.

Visiting Essaouira offers a unique experience.

Don't Miss These Art Spots

Le Real Mogador: Once the Italian Consulate, this dreamy artists’ residence and cultural centre is more than just a gallery. It features exhibitions, poetry nights, Gnaoui music shows, and more, all spread across multiple floors. It's a space that art lovers simply cannot miss. - Le Real Mogador | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree

Source: CENTRE D'ART LE REAL MOGADOR (2025) All You Should Know BEFORE You Go (with Reviews)

Kasbah Gallery: This magnificent 18th-century riad is filled with everything from naive paintings to surrealist dreamscapes. With 11 rooms overflowing with Berber calligraphy and sculptural oddities, it serves as a time capsule of Souiri creativity. - Maroc | Galerie La Kasbah

Experience The Evolution of Art: Essaouira's outsider art movement is a testament to the human spirit's creativity—raw, unfiltered, and beautifully authentic. Come witness how these extraordinary artists are carving out a space for themselves, one artwork at a time. Discover how their stories and visions shape the narrative of Moroccan art today.