On 13 and 14 December 2024, at the Residence of the EU Ambassador in Algiers, the Delegation of the European Union to Algeria will be hosting a Contemporary Algerian Art Encounter bringing together some twenty artists representing various disciplines – painting, photography, video and sculpture. This event is intended to be a forum for exchange, dedicated to emerging talents and professionals from the Algerian art world, who will be exhibiting some sixty works, available for sale. The initiative aims to put the spotlight on local talents and broaden their visibility, while fomenting collaborative momentum between artists.

The event will bring together several generations of artists, both established and emerging, as well as professionals from galleries such as XBM Studio, led by a young dynamic team, and Seen Art Galerie, recognised for its contribution to the Algerian art landscape, offering a varied selection of contemporary works. The event’s scenography has been assigned to Yahia Abdelmalek, a painter, set designer and teacher at the École nationale des Beaux-arts. He has worked closely with Mounia Lazali, painter and founder of Studio Lazali Paris, to deliver an immersive visual experience and a wealth of artistic diversity.

Well-established guest artists will include plastic artist Ammar Bouras, painters Mehdi Djellil and Maya Benchikh Lefgoun, as well as visual artists such as l’Homme Jaune (Yasser Amer) and Lokher (Abderrahmane Salah) alongside calligrapher Sadik (Reda Harzalaoui). A pavilion dedicated to XBM Studio will showcase innovative creations illustrating contemporary trends on the Algerian scene. The pavilion will host six artists, including the female film-maker Noun, as well as Mohic, Fwad, Krez, Mahdida Drir and photographer Liasmine Foudil.

On the fringes of the exhibition, an all-women’s round table will bring together art critics, collectors and gallery professionals to discuss the theme of “Contemporary art in Algeria”, on Saturday 14 December at 4pm. This panel will provide an opportunity to exchange views on the challenges and prospects of contemporary creation in Algeria and elsewhere.