Rafiee Ghani in Morocco
A Solo Exhibition by Rafiee Ghani
11 - 25 January 2025
Rafiee Ghani’s solo exhibition “Rafiee Ghani in Morocco” unveils a vibrant tapestry of colour, culture, and emotion. Morocco, a paradise for artists, has been a recurring muse for Rafiee, who has visited the country four times since 1987, with his latest journey in May 2024. His itineraries have covered iconic locations such as Tangier, Chefchaouen, Marrakesh, and the Todra Valley, capturing the country’s dynamic landscapes, bustling souks, and architectural marvels.
Deeply influenced by Henri Matisse’s fascination with Moroccan light and decor, Rafiee’s advantage lies in his devout Muslim perspective, allowing him to resonate profoundly with the ethos and culture. His works, rendered entirely in watercolours for the first time, feature sweeping lines, shapes, and vibrant colours. His artworks, ranging from a big composition to smaller pieces, highlight his signature style: multi-focal, abstract sceneries that blend spontaneity with intricate details.
Rafiee’s artworks reflect Morocco’s essence — a whirlwind of sensations, colours, and serenity amidst chaos. Whether depicting Chefchaouen’s blue hues or the arid Todra Valley, his paintings embody freedom, inspiration, and spiritual rediscovery. At its core, his exhibition is a celebration of life, identity, and prayer through the language of colour and form.
Rafiee Ghani in Morocco, runs from 11 to 25 January 2025 at G13 Gallery.
For enquiry, please contact us at : –
+6013 – 234 2126 (Wendy) or via WhatsApp https://wa.me/60132342126
+6019 – 211 4697 ( Kenny ) or via WhatsApp https://wa.me/60192114697
+6011 – 187 40157 ( Joo Fang ) or via WhatsApp https://wa.me/601118740157
Kasbah Dancer I
Rafiee Ghani
102 x 153cm
Watercolour on Paper
2024
Artist Statement
Every May, the desert comes alive with music and dance as tribes from across the Sahara gather for a vibrant festival. This celebration unites people through the shared joy of movement and rhythm, blending traditional and spiritual performances with modern genres like jazz. In Kasbah Dancer, I sought to capture the energy, colors, and spirit of this festival, the swirling robes, hypnotic beats, and boundless vitality that fill the desert air. These festivals, spanning the country all summer before winter’s arrival, are a testament to the power of music and dance to bridge cultures and bring people together.
Kasbah on The Beach
Rafiee Ghani
122 x 122cm
Mixed Media on Canvas
2024
Artist Statement
Along the Atlantic coastline lies Essaouira, an old Portuguese town where history and artistry converge. Its iconic Kasbah, standing tall against the ocean’s vastness, embodies the spirit of Morocco, an enduring symbol of resilience and cultural heritage. Weathered stones tell tales of conquests and trade, while the fortress watches over the ebb and flow of life on the shore. Essaouira pulses with creativity. The medina hums with artisans transforming humble textile into exquisite garments, blending tradition with innovation. The Kasbah, a muse to many, rises as a meeting point of history and nature, its rugged silhouette softened by sunlight and sea breezes. “Kasbah on the Beach” captures the essence of this unique setting, a crossroads of the man-made and the infinite. It invites the viewer to feel the grit of sand, hear the call of the waves, and celebrate Morocco’s identity, where art and tradition weave a vibrant tapestry.
The Garden We Know
Rafiee Ghani
122 x 122cm
Acrylic on Canvas
2024
Artist Statement
In the arid land, a Bedouin family nurtured a small rocky garden, turning the unforgiving ground into a vibrant space of flowers and vegetables through determination and care.
After 12 years, the garden remained the same, yet it felt different. Every family member now tended to it, making it a shared legacy. It was no longer just cultivated soil but a part of their identity,
a symbol of unity and resilience. The Garden We Know reflects the enduring bond between the family and their garden, where love and nature intertwine.
Dancing in the Desert
Rafiee Ghani
116 x 116cm
Watercolour on Paper
2024
Artist Statement
Every May, the desert comes alive with music and dance as tribes from across the Sahara gather for a vibrant festival. This celebration unites people through the shared joy of movement and rhythm, blending traditional and spiritual performances with modern genres like jazz. In ‘Dancing in the Desert’, I sought to capture the energy, colors, and spirit of this festival, the swirling robes, hypnotic beats, and boundless vitality that fill the desert air. These festivals, spanning the country all summer before winter’s arrival, are a testament to the power of music and dance to bridge cultures and bring people together.
Garden Gate
Rafiee Ghani
116 x 116cm
Watercolour on Paper
2024
Artist Statement
Garden Gate is an interpretation of an old village where life thrives within a gated community. At sunrise, the aged iron gate swings open to welcome the day, and by sunset, it closes again, marking the rhythm of life. Cars and trucks are left outside, while inside, the village feels like a small fortress surrounded by lush gardens. Such places can be found throughout Morocco, some meticulously maintained, others left to the embrace of time. This work reflects the charm, nostalgia, and unique character of these enclosed worlds.
Garden Gate II
Rafiee Ghani
116 x 116cm
Watercolour on Paper
2024
Artist Statement
Under a calm dark blue sky, a Moroccan village rests, its gates enclosing a world where traditional Moroccan architecture blends with the surrounding desert landscape. Arched doorways, intricate ironwork, and smooth stucco walls speak to the country’s rich architectural heritage, influenced by centuries of Islamic, Mediterranean, and Berber styles. Beyond the gates, expansive date gardens stretch out, essential to the community’s way of life. The relationship between the architecture and the gardens reflects a harmony of tradition, protection, and the natural environment that defines life in these Moroccan spaces.
The Garden Inside
Rafiee Ghani
76 x 76cm
Mixed Media on Canvas
2024
Artist Statement
Every traditional Moroccan house, known as a Riad, is a sanctuary of tranquility, where life unfolds around a central garden. These hidden oasis are designed with care and purpose, a space to connect with nature, reflect and find peace. The mosaic-tiled floors shimmer in intricate patterns, framing a fountain at the heart of the garden, its gentle sounds filling the air. Tall palm trees reach upward, their fronds casting playful shadows that dance with the light.
In this serene space, time seems to slow. The garden becomes a haven for creativity & perfect for sitting with a book, sketching quietly, or simply soaking in the moment.
“The Garden Inside” captures the beauty of these intimate spaces simply a calming simplicity and timeless charm of Moroccan.
Garden on Fire
Rafiee Ghani
76 x 76cm
Mixed media on Canvas
2024
Artist Statement
Garden on fire, as the Moroccan saying goes, not with flames, but with life. Flowers burst open like quiet fireworks, and the trees drip with fruits. heavy with the promise of abundance. This is no ordinary blaze; it is nature at its most radiant, a reminder of growth and beauty.
Valley of Gold
Rafiee Ghani
76 x 76cm
Acrylic on Canvas
2024
Artist Statement
“The Valley of Gold” symbolizes abundance and prosperity through abstract symbolism, depicting fruit trees in full blossom, heavy with ripened fruits. Surrounded by dedicated farmers growing dates, prunes and apricots, the valley stands as a testament to hard work and harmony with nature. This painting celebrates the life giving richness of the land.
An Olive Tree In Todra Valley
Rafiee Ghani
76 x 131cm
Watercolour on Paper
2024
Artist Statement
May in summer brings a serene stillness to the Todra Valley, where the dry landscape is softened by the gentle shade of a solitary olive tree. Under its gnarled branches, I found a natural studio, a place to sit, draw, and share a quiet picnic.
A picnic here isn’t just a meal; it’s an embrace of the valley’s simplicity. Being present sketching, eating and observing, I felt like a dialogue with the landscape. For an artist, it’s not just about capturing the view but translating the emotions of the place: its isolation, timelessness and quiet strength.
I emptied myself and let the essence of nature fill me.
Chefchaouen I
Rafiee Ghani
76 x 131cm
Watercolour on Paper
2024
Artist Statement
Nestled in the Rif Mountains of Morocco, Chefchaouen is a town where every corner feels like a work of art. Known for its iconic blue painted buildings, the city exudes an otherworldly calm, as if it’s bathed in a constant dreamlike hue. Chefchaouen is more than a place; it is a living palette, an endless source of inspiration where color, texture, and light come together in harmony. Each moment spent here becomes a new stroke, a new composition, filled with the vibrancy and tranquility that makes this mountain town so unforgettable. The sky, the sea, the mountains, and the town itself; together they create a symphony of colors, a perfect balance of nature and humanity captured in an artist’s eye.
Tangiers iii
Rafiee Ghani
76 x 131cm
Watercolour on Paper
2024
Artist Statement
Tangiers was the first Moroccan city Rafiee visited, arriving by boat from Spain. Stepping off the boat felt like crossing from Europe into Africa, a shift in energy and atmosphere that was immediately palpable. Tangiers is a city where cultures converge Arab, European, Jewish and African creating a unique, vibrant blend. It has long been a haven for artists, writers, and creatives who were drawn to its eclectic vibe and the fusion of influences that shaped both its architecture and daily life.
Chefchaouen II
Rafiee Ghani
54 x 152cm
Watercolour on Paper
2024
Artist Statement
Nestled in the Rif Mountains of Morocco, Chefchaouen is a town where every corner feels like a work of art. Known for its iconic blue painted buildings, the city exudes an otherworldly calm, as if it’s bathed in a constant dreamlike hue. Chefchaouen is more than a place; it is a living palette, an endless source of inspiration where color, texture, and light come together in harmony. Each moment spent here becomes a new stroke, a new composition, filled with the vibrancy and tranquility that makes this mountain town so unforgettable. The sky, the sea, the mountains, and the town itself; together they create a symphony of colors, a perfect balance of nature and humanity captured in an artist’s eye.
The Sunset Valley
Rafiee Ghani
58 x 116cm
Mixed Media on Paper
2024
Artist Statement
This captivating artwork depicts Tinghir, an oasis city located in the south of Morocco. Surrounded by lush groves of date palms, prunes, and apricots, the valley comes alive with natural abundance. The white patches represent the scattered homes, while the lower section of the painting showcases the old city, crafted from mud and stones, evoking the timelessness of this ancient landscape. The use of mixed media in this piece enhances the texture and depth, capturing the rugged beauty and raw essence of the Moroccan terrain.
Jemaa El-Fnaa
Rafiee Ghani
76 x 57cm
Watercolour on Paper
2024
Artist Statement
Jemaa el-Fnaa, the vibrant heart of Marrakech, is a living canvas of energy, culture and life. For Rafiee, every corner tells a new story, blending light, color and movement that shifts from day to night. More than a marketplace, it’s a narrative of Marrakech where past and present meet. Each visit inspires fresh perspectives, and through my work, I strive to capture its soul, a timeless muse of culture and creativity.
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