For its debut at the 1-54 London fair, Galerie Les filles du calvaire is thrilled to present the works of Maya Inès Touam and Abdelhak Benallou.
Born in France to Algerian grandparents, Maya Inès Touam explores the perspective of a granddaughter of immigrants in shaping her work across the shores of the Mediterranean, exploring an identity that is both intimate and foreign. A graduate of the Beaux-arts de Paris in 2013, she undertakes research that is both anthropological and dreamlike, using various mediums such as photography, drawings, sculptures, and incorporating personal or symbolic objects.
Abdelhak Benallou’s canvases, known for their striking realism, may initially impress with their technical prowess. However, the true allure of his works lies deeper. His portraits and still lifes reveal a meticulous and deeply intimate attention to reality.
By portraying visual elements that profoundly move him, whether a face or a mundane detail, he offers a deeply personal vision, playing with artificial chiaroscuro. The result is a painting whose pictorial realism retains an enigmatic quality.
