EL GLAOUI & CHURCHILL: MEETINGS IN MARRAKECH

Organisation: 12 Holland Park Road, London W14 8LZ

Time: 20 January 2012 10:00am - 31 March 2012 5:30pm

Place: Leighton House Museum

 Leighton House Museum Presents:

MEETINGS IN MARRAKECH: THE PAINTINGS OF EL GLAOUI & CHURCHILL

The exhibition tells the fascinating story and brings together for the first time a unique collection of work by two painters: Sir Winston Churchill and Hassan El Glaoui.

Churchill, who as well as being Britain’s iconic wartime Prime-Minister was also an accomplished amateur painter, first visited the Moroccan city of Marrakech in 1935. He would develop a lasting affection for the city, considering it ‘one of the loveliest spots in the whole world’, and was inspired to produce many paintings of its buildings and people. Through these trips he befriended Hadj Thami El-Glaoui, the Pasha of Marrakech – also known as the ‘Black Panther’. Through Churchill’s intervention, the Pasha’s son, Hassan El Glaoui, was permitted to pursue his passion for painting – something that had not met with the Pasha’s immediate approval.

Churchill’s influence had significant results. Hassan El Glaoui was the first Moroccan artist to establish an international reputation and today his work is among the most sought after contemporary North African art in the world. Reflecting on his career, Hassan explained: ‘a love of my country has been the defining spirit of my painting.’ This exhibition demonstrates that for Churchill too Morocco provided an inspiration that was profound. His meetings with the young painter’s father in Marrakech had a lasting impact and, despite such different starting points, a common sensibility and appreciation for the country is communicated in the work of both artists.

Until 31 March 2012
10:00 - 17:30 | Closed Tuesdays
Leighton House Museum, 12 Holland Park Avenue, London W14 8LZ
Museum Admission Applies

Please click here for further information.

Image: Copyright 2011 by El Glaoui