The Arab World Institute, close to our hotels, is holding the first Parisian retrospective of probably the most singular Algerian painter of the 20th century – Fatma Haddad, aka Baya – thanks to some exceptional loans from around the world.

Aided by donations from the ‘Fonds Claude et France Lemand’, this new exhibition at the Arab World Institute offers a unique new view of the work of Baya, famous for her paintings from the early age of 19 until her death at 66 (in 1998).

You’ll have a complete view of the artist’s work thanks to loans from prestigious French institutions including the Archives nationales d’outre-mer in Aix-en-Provence, the Réattu Museumin Arles, the Museum of Modern Art in Lille and the Cantini Museum in Marseille, as well as private collections from around the world, with archival material never seen before, plus forty of the artist’s early drawings dating from 1944-45, all the gouache painting from her ‘Contes de Baya’ series and a vast selection of her paintings and sculptures.

It’s also a great chance to learn more about Baya’s life – orphaned at 9 years old, her talent was recognised when she was 11, and her first Parisian exhibition opened before she was 20.

Encouraged by André Breton and followed by Picasso, she created both paintings and sculptures, married and dedicated herself to her family (including her six children!) before returning to the world of art where she remained discreet but determined. Her work never ceased to evolve, with occasional influences from African painting, and continued to win her prizes until the very end of her life.

Subtitled Women in Their Garden (one of her favourite subjects), the exhibition reveals a talented and fascinating woman and artist.

In addition to the usual guided visits and kids workshops, visitors are encourage to borrow books from the Institute’s vast library, in order to learn more about Baya.

A richly-illustrated catalogue of the exhibition is also available (284 pages, approximately 38€ here at your local Amazon).

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The exhibition Baya, icône de la peinture algérienne – Femmes en leur Jardin is at the Arab World Institute (here) until 26th March 2023

Open every day except Mondays from 10am-6pm (7pm weekends and public holidays)

Admission: 6€ / 4€ (tickets here)

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@institutdumondearabe 🌸 Jour J ! Découvrez l’exposition « Baya, icône de la peinture algérienne. Femmes en leur jardin » dès aujourd’hui à l’IMA. Rendez-vous en bio pour plus d’informations ! #tiktokart #tiktokalgeria #tiktokfrance ♬ GOTG Lo-fi Beat – DJ BAI