Fez — Moroccan painter Mehdi Qotbi was the featured guest on the February 22 edition of “La Grande Galerie Francophone,” broadcast on TV5 Monde and hosted by Ali Baddou.
The program, dedicated to prominent Francophone artists shaping contemporary culture, offered viewers an in-depth look at Qotbi’s personal and professional journey. Joining him on set was actor Bruno Solo, as the conversation explored art, identity, and cross-Mediterranean ties.
Currently serving as president of the National Foundation of Museums, Qotbi is widely regarded as a central figure in Morocco’s cultural landscape. His appearance comes as anticipation builds for the upcoming biographical film “L’homme des signes,” directed by Zhor Fassi-Fihri, in which Vincent Elbaz portrays the artist.
From Kenitra to Paris
During the interview, Qotbi revisited formative moments from his youth, including his first encounter with art at the military high school in Kenitra, where he famously painted a tiger on the walls of a scouts’ room. He also spoke about arriving in Toulouse without financial means and being welcomed by Catholic clergy who supported his studies despite religious differences.
“They opened their doors to me even though I am Muslim,” he recalled, describing the experience as unforgettable and decisive in enabling him to pursue training at the Beaux-Arts.
Qotbi later moved to Paris, where he discovered Claude Monet’s “Nymphéas” at the Musée de l’Orangerie — a moment he described as transformative. He also expressed admiration for Eugène Delacroix, particularly “Les noces juives,” citing its treatment of light as a lasting influence.
A universal language of signs
Known for his abstract compositions often compared to calligraphy, Qotbi explained that his work is rooted in a deeply personal visual language.
Color and gesture, he said, communicate beyond words. Reflecting on his childhood, he described a solitary upbringing shaped by poverty and illiteracy within his family. He recalled being urged to read despite limited support, leading him to “travel through letters” in his imagination — an experience that later informed his artistic vocabulary.
Today, Qotbi is described as a cultural bridge between Morocco and France, using art to strengthen ties across the Mediterranean. Through both his creative work and his leadership at the National Foundation of Museums, he has positioned himself as a key advocate for democratizing access to art throughout Morocco.
His appearance on “La Grande Galerie Francophone” offered audiences insight into the cultural vision shaping Morocco’s museum landscape in the years ahead.
