Meet Margaux Derhy: Discover the French-Moroccan Artist's Journey

  • French-Moroccan artist Margaux Derhy channels the power of art to empower women. Through a diverse practice that includes painting, drawing,...
    Photo by Thomas Millet
    French-Moroccan artist Margaux Derhy channels the power of art to empower women. Through a diverse practice that includes painting, drawing, sculpture, embroidery, and collaborations with the local community, she produces art that acts as gentle remedies for personal traumas associated with love and loss. Now, she is ready to present her work at Tabari Artspace, Dubai art gallery.
  • Margaux: I’m Margaux Derhy, a French-Moroccan artist based between Paris, France and Massa, Morocco. My practice revolves around an exploration...
    Photo by Thomas Millet

    Margaux: I’m Margaux Derhy, a French-Moroccan artist based between Paris, France and Massa, Morocco. My practice revolves around an exploration of memory, identity, and femininity, often expressed through the mediums of painting and embroidery on paper and canvas.

     

    My art primarily tackles themes of memory and familial relationships. I seek to unravel the layers of these connections and explore how they shape our identities. In doing so, I try to create visual narratives that resonate with universal experiences of tenderness, trust, and liberation.

  • Margaux: My approach is both introspective and collaborative, reflecting my commitment to engaging with the community of marginalised women I...
    Margaux: My approach is both introspective and collaborative, reflecting my commitment to engaging with the community of marginalised women I created in my studio in Massa. We work together to create two types of embroidery—hand and machine—that enrich the texture and meaning of each piece. This process fosters a sense of shared creativity and empowerment among us. My relationship with colour is nuanced; I often use soft, muted tones to convey intimacy and nostalgia, while also incorporating vibrant accents to highlight specific emotions and moments within my work.
  • Margaux: Cultural symbols from my French-Moroccan heritage subtly weave through my work, serving as a testament to my background and...

    Margaux: Cultural symbols from my French-Moroccan heritage subtly weave through my work, serving as a testament to my background and bridging diverse experiences. Ultimately, these forms and motifs encourage reflection on love, identity, and the profound connections that define our lives.

     

    My interest in these themes stems from my own experiences as a daughter and a woman navigating cultural complexities. Growing up in a bicultural environment has profoundly influenced my artistic perspective, leading me to explore the dualities of identity and belonging. This ongoing exploration shapes my art as I strive to give voice to the often-overlooked narratives of women.

  • Margaux: My recent work marks a significant evolution in my artistic journey, reflecting a deeper exploration of familial connections and...
    Photo by Marion Saupin
    Margaux: My recent work marks a significant evolution in my artistic journey, reflecting a deeper exploration of familial connections and the nuances of interpersonal relationships. In my latest series, I have embraced a novel approach to framing, playing with the concepts of zooming in and out to emphasise detail and intimacy in storytelling. Each piece is crafted in three uniform formats, allowing for a dynamic interplay between individual works and a larger narrative context. This technique represents a pivotal turning point in my practice, inviting viewers to engage with the emotional resonance of each piece in a more profound and intimate way.
  • Margaux: Creating art is an emotionally charged experience for me! It often feels like a meditative practice, allowing me to...
    Photo by Thomas Millet

    Margaux: Creating art is an emotionally charged experience for me! It often feels like a meditative practice, allowing me to reflect on personal memories and connections while also fostering collaboration with the talented women in my studio. There is a profound joy in translating emotions into tangible forms, and I find this process deeply fulfilling.

     

    Art possesses an extraordinary ability to articulate the complexities of human emotion. It serves as a conduit for processing experiences that might be difficult to articulate verbally. Through my work, I aim to create a safe space for viewers to engage with their own emotions and reflect on their personal narratives, fostering empathy and understanding.

  • Margaux: My forthcoming exhibition at Tabari Artspace art gallery in Dubai will present A Mother’s Solace, a series of 22...
    Photo by Marion Saupin
    Margaux: My forthcoming exhibition at Tabari Artspace art gallery in Dubai will present A Mother’s Solace, a series of 22 works that navigate themes of memory, intimacy, and intergenerational relationships from a single photograph. This body of work continues my exploration of personal and collective histories but with a focus on the mother-daughter relationship. Central to this series is the manipulation of perspective, where the act of zooming in and out becomes both a visual and conceptual tool. By playing with framing and proximity, each piece invites the viewer in this Dubai art gallery to engage with both the intricacies of detail and the broader narrative arc. This approach speaks to the fluidity between the individual and collective memory, as well as the evolving role of perception in the storytelling process.

    I hope that viewers leave with a deeper understanding of the complexities of familial love and the intricate tapestry of human relationships. My goal of exhibiting my work in Tabari Artspace art gallery in Dubai is to inspire reflection on their own experiences and foster a sense of connection and empathy with others.
  • Margaux: In terms of the execution of my work, I’ve created a studio with 10 women who were unemployed and...
    Photo by Thomas Millet
    Margaux: In terms of the execution of my work, I’ve created a studio with 10 women who were unemployed and did not have access to education in Massa, a village in the south of Morocco, not far from where my father was born. Supporting women is a cornerstone of my practice and personal philosophy. I believe in the transformative power of community and collaboration, particularly among women who often face unique challenges. By cultivating a creative environment in my studio, I aim to empower these women by providing them with the tools and opportunities to express themselves. This commitment to solidarity and shared growth is essential to my work and reflects my desire to uplift and amplify female voices in the arts.