MEHDI de GRAINCOURT – MULTIFACETED MARRACHI ARTIST.

By Damali and Nii B. Andrews

Mehdi de Graincourt, born in 1974 in Ouagadougou, has been living in Marrakesh since 1991. 

During his childhood he was immmersed in the vibrant Burkina Faso art scene.

This included the traditional art pieces – some of which have become iconic – and the emerging energetic CAA scene that encompassed innnovative painting, design and photography.

Mehdi went on to graduate in psychology (Paris Descartes), and German (Paris Sorbonne).

He became a writer and journalist thus following in the longstanding Graincourt family tradition.

Among his publications are: Les autres vies (éditions du Rocher, 1992); Mehdi, l’initiation d’un soufi (éd. du Rocher, 1994); Il sofa (edizioni Publigold, 1999), and Amadeus (Yomad, 2004).

His book, “On the Path of Ibn Al Arabi: The Revelations in Fez and Marrakesh” has become a reference book on Andalusian Sufism of the 12th and 13th centuries.

During Ramadan last year, two very dear friends presented us with Mehdi’s latest book, “Their Morocco: The Kingdom seen through the Eyes of Artists, Writers and Explorers from Other Countries”.

Mehdi’s formidable literary and creative talent dazzles in this must have book. 

Morocco – and especially Marrakech, has over the centuries been a must for many of the world’s intelligentsia. Artists, musicians, painters, writers … and members of the jet set of course!

He introduces us to over 60 personalities – Matisse, Josephine Baker, Dalida, Edith Piaf, Maurice Ravel, YSL – all of them were attracted to Morocco and felt an intimate bond with the Kingdom.

Their frank personal impressions are recorded in individual chapters that are aggrandized with Mehdi’s intimate writing. 

His love for Morocco is palpable throughout as his paintings; antique photos and posters; and compelling anecdotes are all synchronized to produce a resounding encomium to the Cherifian Kingdom.

The book is a treasure trove of Mehdi’s paintings and his exhilarating prose makes its reading a moving experience.

In a world blighted by crass materialism and the vulgarity of the bottom line, Mehdi provides an insightful perspective based on enlightened principles from an imperfect past.

Thank you so much, dearest Ana and Michael for presenting us with this spectacular book; reading it continues to provide countless moments of pleasure.

We love it!

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