As the 1-54 Contemporary Art Fair looms on the horizon, so many artistic eyes are drawn to the captivating work of Aïcha Snoussi. Born in 1989 in Tunis, Aïcha Snoussi has since etched her artistic journey in the heart of Paris, where she currently resides and creates.
Snoussi’s art delves deep into identity constructs and challenges societal norms and classifications. She mixes drawings and installations in a way that tells stories about fiction and real life. By doing this, she creates a world that connects with today’s stories about gender and moving to new places. Snoussi is skilled at making reality and imagination blend, also revealing parts of history in a new light.
Snoussi’s exceptional talent shone brightly in 2020 when she won two important awards: the respected Sam Prize for Contemporary Art and also the first-ever prize from the Rambourg Foundation. The latter accolade honoured her groundbreaking project, “Underwater” (تحت الماء), an archaeological fiction that further unfurls the mysteries of a queer civilization rediscovered along the African coast.
At the core of Snoussi’s artistic ethos lies a fervent commitment to dismantling entrenched hierarchies of power through a queer lens. Using drawing as a way to express herself, Snoussi combines her detailed sketches with immersive installations made from carefully chosen sculptures as well as natural materials. In her world, crayons turn into sharp tools, carefully cutting through paper and ideas. Through storytelling, Snoussi additionally questions the truth of memories, uncovers forgotten histories, and challenges common ideas about gender with strong determination.
Drawing inspiration from her academic pursuits at the Higher Institute of Fine Arts in Tunis and the University of Sorbonne in Paris, Snoussi’s artistic journey unfolds as a testament to her insatiable curiosity and unyielding dedication.
Her magnum opus, the “Underwater” project, continues to captivate audiences across a myriad of exhibitions, each iteration further enriching the narrative tapestry of an ancient queer civilization. From the evocative depths of Sépulture aux noyé.e.s to the transcendent intimacy of Layla, Snoussi’s work traverses continents and epochs, leaving an indelible imprint upon the global art landscape.
Her artistic odyssey has graced esteemed platforms such as the Abu Dhabi Art Fair, the 1.54 Contemporary Art Fair in London, and the Beirut Art Fair, to name but a few. Moreover, her participation in seminal group exhibitions, including “Habibi: Les Révolutions de l’Amour” and “Sortir de l’Hétérosexualité,” underscores her unwavering commitment to amplifying queer narratives within the realm of contemporary art.
Snoussi’s impact lies in her ability to transgress cultural boundaries and challenge societal taboos. Her audacious 2016 exhibition at the Tunisian Embassy in London, further characterized by its visceral red ink drawings of vegetated, mechanic, and sexual beings, serves as a poignant reminder of art’s transformative potential. As Snoussi herself reflects, “With red everywhere, it felt like being inside a body.” Indeed, her art invites us to transcend the confines of our minds and embrace the primal, visceral essence of our corporeal existence. In doing so, she beckons us to embrace the boundless realm of the human experience.
Aïcha Snoussi will be represented by La La Lande Gallery at 1-54 New York 2024 opening to the public Friday 3 May & Saturday 4 May, 2024.
