NEJIB BELKHODJA (1933-2007)
Tunisian abstract painter — between calligraphy and the architecture of the medina
Born in the Medina of Tunis, Néjib Belkhodja soaked up the colors, forms, and rhythms of the city from childhood. He followed academic training at the École des Beaux-Arts de Tunis and began exhibiting at the age of 23, marking his first steps in the local art scene.
In 1956, he won the Prize of the Municipality of Tunis at the International Salon, before continuing his training and artistic travels in Rome and Paris. There, he developed a passion for the abstract painting of Delaunay and Kandinsky and participated in the second Paris Biennale. In 1964, his work was rewarded in Milan with the Gold Medal of the Painting Prize.
Born in the Medina of Tunis, Néjib Belkhodja soaked up the colors, forms, and rhythms of the city from childhood. He followed academic training at the École des Beaux-Arts de Tunis and began exhibiting at the age of 23, marking his first steps in the local art scene.
In 1956, he won the Prize of the Municipality of Tunis at the International Salon, before continuing his training and artistic travels in Rome and Paris. There, he developed a passion for the abstract painting of Delaunay and Kandinsky and participated in the second Paris Biennale. In 1964, his work was rewarded in Milan with the Gold Medal of the Painting Prize.
A visionary, he founded the "Groupe des Six" in Tunis, which radically transformed the Tunisian artistic landscape of the 1960s. His approach combines abstraction and cultural heritage: he integrates Arabic calligraphy into graphics inspired by the medina, creating compositions where arches, vertical, horizontal, or oblique lines are arranged to suggest circulation spaces and dialogue with urban architecture.
Upon his death, the "Néjib Belkhodja Plastic Arts Prize" was created at the Museum of the City of Tunis to reward new Tunisian and foreign talents each year, thus perpetuating the spirit of innovation and openness that characterizes his work.
Upon his death, the "Néjib Belkhodja Plastic Arts Prize" was created at the Museum of the City of Tunis to reward new Tunisian and foreign talents each year, thus perpetuating the spirit of innovation and openness that characterizes his work.
Exhibitions
