Les Métiers | Hommage à Ali Bellagha

Organising this exhibition dedicated to Ali Bellagha and Galerie Les Métiers has allowed me to revisit precious memories, while also bringing together a wealth of documentation on this remarkable artist, with the aim of introducing his work to a new generation.

Unfortunately, in our art schools, the history of Western art often occupies a central place, while the artistic history of our own country and region remains largely underrepresented in teaching. This exhibition is therefore also an invitation to rediscover a major figure in our artistic heritage.

It brings together works by Ali Bellagha alongside those of artists who, each in their own way, carry forward his spirit and artistic vision through themes close to his heart: still life, portraiture, manuscripts, and the dialogue between art, craftsmanship and contemporary creation.

Ali Bellagha was also a passionate collector and one of the first to support emerging artists of his time. He believed in their talent, encouraged them and acquired their works long before they gained recognition. It therefore seemed only natural that a new generation of artists should pay tribute to him today through this exhibition.

A pioneer in bringing art and craftsmanship into dialogue, he left behind a remarkably diverse body of work, represented here through his wood engravings, monotypes and paintings. The exhibition also pays tribute to Brahim Gharbi, a self-taught sculptor whom Ali Bellagha discovered and wholeheartedly supported.

We invite you to discover, or rediscover, the distinctive world of Ali Bellagha: his work, his vision and the legacy he continues to pass on through the artists paying tribute to him today.

**Ali Bellagha: The Artist-Craftsman**