After an extended period of transformation, the Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden (MACAAL) in Marrakech has reopened its doors with a major new exhibition, Seven Contours, One Collection, marking a significant moment in the African contemporary art scene. Launched on February 2, 2025, the show presents an ambitious curatorial vision that spans four decades of collecting, offering an unprecedented deep dive into African artistic expressions from across the continent and its diaspora.
A New Chapter for MACAAL
With this relaunch, MACAAL establishes itself as a leading institution for African contemporary art, unveiling a permanent collection display that redefines its commitment to cultural preservation and innovation. The exhibition is structured around seven thematic galleries—Decolonize, Cohabit, Transcribe, Initiate, Promise, Converge, and Weave—each exploring different dimensions of African identity, artistic heritage, and cultural narratives.
Curated by Morad Montazami and Madeleine de Colnet of Zamân Books & Curating, in collaboration with MACAAL’s Artistic Director Meriem Berrada and scenographer Franck Houndégla, Seven Contours, One Collection features 150 works from over 30 African countries. The selection reflects both historic and contemporary voices in African art, embracing mediums ranging from painting, sculpture, and textiles to photography, installation, and digital art.
A Diverse and Dynamic Showcase
The exhibition includes seminal works by pioneering artists such as Farid Belkahia, Chéri Samba, Abdoulaye Konaté, Malick Sidibé, Kapwani Kiwanga, Billie Zangewa, Hassan Hajjaj, and Mohamed Melehi, among many others. The new display seeks to dismantle colonial perspectives and reposition African art within its rightful historical and cultural frameworks.
Among the exhibition’s highlights is the Timeline Room, a dedicated space mapping key moments in African art history, contextualizing the evolution of artistic practices across the continent. Another major addition is the annual site-specific installations, debuting with Moroccan architect Salima Naji’s innovative adobe-inspired piece and Tunisian artist Aïcha Snoussi’s Cyborg Archaeology, an immersive installation that interrogates future Afro-futurist identities.
MACAAL has also introduced an Artist Room, which will host rotating solo and group exhibitions. The inaugural presentation features Sara Ouhaddou’s “Display”, a thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between craft, design, and contemporary art.
Rewriting the Narrative of African Art
By bringing together a powerful collection of works, Seven Contours, One Collection emphasizes the diversity of African artistic production while fostering critical discourse on themes of identity, heritage, and modernity. Through its meticulous curation, the exhibition provides an essential platform for both established and emerging artists, reinforcing MACAAL’s position at the forefront of contemporary African art discourse.
The museum’s relaunch is more than just an exhibition opening—it is a bold declaration of MACAAL’s role as a vital institution dedicated to the promotion, documentation, and celebration of African art. As Marrakech continues to rise as a global hub for contemporary art, MACAAL’s revival signals a new era for cultural engagement and artistic dialogue on the continent.
Exhibition Details
📍 Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden (MACAAL), Marrakech
📅 Seven Contours, One Collection – Open now
This is not just a reopening—it is a reinvention. Visitors are invited to experience the new MACAAL and witness firsthand the evolution of African contemporary art in a space designed to inspire, educate, and challenge perspectives.
