Arkane Afrika: Art as a Shared African Language

On the sidelines of the International Exhibition of Ports and Their Ecosystems, held from April 1st to 3rd in El Jadida, Arkane Afrika brought together artists from across Africa and the diaspora for a socially engaged contemporary art exhibition. Through this platform, combining artist residencies and exhibitions, creators explore ports as spaces for the circulation of ideas, cultures, and imaginaries. Its founder, the painter Abderrahmane Ouardane, reflects on the spirit and ambition of this project, launched in 2015.

Why did you create Arkane Afrika, and how has it evolved?

The continent carries immense creative energy, yet spaces where artists can meet, engage in dialogue, and share and enrich their imaginaries remain rare. It was from this observation that the idea emerged to create a platform bringing together artists from across Africa and its diaspora, a space for exchange, a meeting point of practices, and a laboratory for creation and cultural dialogue, where new perspectives can be imagined and developed together, opening out to the world.

At the outset, it was primarily an artistic gathering. Over time, the project became more structured, evolving into a fully-fledged cultural platform. Today, Arkane Afrika develops artist residencies, exhibitions, and partnerships, with the ambition of strengthening connections between African art scenes and international cultural networks.

Artist residencies lie at the heart of the project. What do they bring?

Arkane Afrika’s richness lies above all in human encounters. During the residencies, artists who do not know each other come together and share their worlds, their stories and their sensibilities. Quickly, a dialogue takes shape, influences intersect and unexpected collaborations emerge.

These moments of exchange are invaluable, as they show that art can become a true shared language between creators from different backgrounds.

The Tunisian artist Yassine Brouje during his residency in Morocco
All rights reserved Association Arkane

Have any artists particularly stood out for you?

Each artist brings their own vision and energy. What moves me most is the ability of certain creators to transform their cultural roots, their memory or their environment into a universal artistic language.

The residencies themselves are shaped by strong themes such as identity, spirituality, migration and their relationship with nature. This diversity reflects the full richness of contemporary African imaginaries. One of our greatest satisfactions is seeing that several artists who have taken part in Arkane Afrika are now pursuing remarkable careers on both African and international art scenes.

What distinguishes this year’s edition?

This edition is part of a broader reflection on the African Atlantic world. The Atlantic is not simply a geographical reality, but a space for the circulation of histories, memories and cultural influences linking Africa to its diasporas.

By inviting artists to explore this theme, we sought to show that artistic creation can support the social, environmental and economic transformations of the continent, while revealing the imaginaries that run through our societies.

Royal Air Maroc, Partner of Arkane Afrika

Since the creation of this platform in 2015, Royal Air Maroc has supported Arkane Afrika. By facilitating the mobility of artists from across Africa and the diaspora, the airline plays a key role in making these encounters and residencies possible.

This commitment reflects a strong vision: supporting the circulation of artists, works and ideas between African cultural scenes and the rest of the world. A partnership that reminds us that cultural exchanges, just as travel does, bring continents closer together and open new horizons.

Publication Date May 2026