Language | Naima Morelli

Published! Kazakhstan at the Venice Biennale for Times of Central Asia

02-06-2026

Central Asia, English, News, Published, Reportage, Research

“There is a Kazakh proverb that says: a foolish person arrives with noise, sweeping everything away in their path, while a wise person arrives quietly, carefully observing the world around them.”

Syrlybek Bekbota, the curator of the Kazakhstan Pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale – the most important art event in the world – offers me this thought at the dawn of the exhibition’s opening, and it feels like both a manifesto and an omen.

I wrote the piece for Times of Central Asia.

Here is the link to the article

Published! Tunis art scene for Observer

By: Naima Morelli

25-05-2026

English, Essay, News, North Africa, North Africa, Published, Reportage, Research, Visit

There is an organic quality to the art scene in Tunis, where art grows out of the bustling, lively, chaotic energy that agitates the city’s streets and animates individuals trying to channel it into an art system.

That’s not an easy feat for a scene that can’t rely on any kind of government master plan, but solely on a handful of people who have set out on a mission to build something durable.

Here is the link to the article

Published! Burmese exiled artists for Le Quotidien de l’Art

By: Naima Morelli

22-05-2026

Burma, Essay, French, Interview, News, Published, Reportage, Research, Visit

Artistes birmans en exil : « Ce n’était pas une fuite, mais la décision de survivre »

L’hebdo du Quotidien de l’Art has just published my article on Burmese artists exiled in France. After the coup d’état in Myanmar, most of the Burmese art scene relocated and reformed elsewhere, with some artists moving to France.

Between Marseille and Paris, these trajectories do not form a homogeneous network, but rather a constellation of practices and narratives, linked by the experience of exile.

Here is the link to the piece online

Published! Asian pavillions at Venice Biennale for Il Manifesto

By: Naima Morelli

04-05-2026

Central Asia, English, Europe, Indonesia, Interview, News, Published, Visit

Wallace Chan, da «Vessels of Other Worlds»

This year, Asia at the Venice Biennale explores themes ranging from postcolonialism to contemporary spirituality, thanks to artists from countries where the art scene is now well-established—such as China and Indonesia—as well as from emerging regions that are giving rise to new narratives.

I wrote the piece for Il manifesto.

Here the link to the article (in Italian)

Published! Art scenes in Marrakech and Casablanca for Qantara

By: Naima Morelli

27-04-2026

English, Essay, North Africa, North Africa, Published, Reportage, Research

Clay sculptures of heads are arranged in rows in a gallery.

Morocco’s art scene is diverse and growing, spanning independent spaces, commercial galleries and international fairs. While Marrakech positions itself as a global hub, Casablanca’s scene is closely tied to its history and political reality.

My report from Marrakech and Casa has just been published by the German magazine Qantara.

Here is the link to the article

Published! Interview with Yasmine Berrada for Observer

By: Naima Morelli

03-04-2026

English, Interview, North Africa, North Africa, Published, Reportage, Research

A studio portrait shows a woman with long dark hair wearing a sleeveless denim top, sitting with her arms crossed and looking directly at the camera.

Loft Gallery director has spent nearly two decades building one of the country’s most important contemporary art spaces, while quietly assembling a collection guided entirely by instinct and love.

I have interviewed her for Observer.

Here is the link to the piece

Published! Interview with Mariem Abutaleb for Markaz Review

By: Naima Morelli

06-03-2026

English, Interview, Middle East, North Africa, Published

In the work of the young Egyptian artist Mariem Abutaleb , the Arabic language and alphabet become a symphony of signs that attempts to remove barriers. “When writing transcends readability, it’s meant to be felt,” says the artist. Her work is a visual demonstration of this idea.

From afar, her work looks as familiar as calligraphy, it’s only by coming close that one realizes she’s not referencing a specific language. And it’s precisely in this fluid approach that her artistic practice lies.

I have interviewed the artist for The Markaz Review.

Here is the link to the interview

Published! 421 Arts Campus for ArtAsiaPacific

By: Naima Morelli

04-03-2026

English, Essay, Interview, Middle East, News, Published, Reportage, Research, Review, Visit

The Gulf’s Anti-Institution: 421 Arts Campus

421 contradicts several preconceived ideas the West might hold about the UAE art scene, often associated with large institutions projecting national ambition outward, from the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the forthcoming Guggenheim to the Sharjah Biennial. Taking another approach, 421 operates on a smaller scale, with slower timing and direct relationships with artists.

I visited 421 Art Campus and reported for ArtAsiaPacific.

Here is the link to the piece

Published! 24 Hours in Oslo on IFDM

By: Naima Morelli

19-02-2026

Collection, Europe, Italiano, Published, Research, Visit

Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art, Oslo, Norway - Photo © Kiev.Victor

I have written a city guide of Oslo for the magazine IFDM: from the traditional houses of Grünerløkka to avant-garde architecture and contemporary design, here’s my 24-hour itinerary to uncover the many faces of a constantly evolving capital.

Here’s the link to the article (in Italian)

Published! Interview with Ymane Fakhir for Le Quotidien de l’Art

By: Naima Morelli

12-12-2025

English, Interview, North Africa, North Africa, Published

Ymane Fakhir : « Mon travail commence là où la parole est trop dure »

Born in Casablanca in 1969, Ymane Fakhir is a Franco-Moroccan artist based in Marseille. Trained at the Casablanca School of Fine Arts, the Aix-en-Provence School of Art and the Arles National School of Photography, she combines photography, video and installation to explore memory, rituals and intangible heritage.

I have interviewed the artist for the Hebdo du Quotidien de l’Art.

Here is the link to the interview (in French)

Published! Interview with Nika Neelova for Observer

By: Naima Morelli

07-11-2025

English, Europe, Interview

A conical sculpture made of interwoven golden-brown sticks stands on a clear acrylic base in a minimalist gallery, with another artwork hanging on the wall behind it.

For art lovers, there is only one way to do it all during the ever-growing list of art weeks: cloning. However, since we are not there yet, the only option seems to be a strict selection of shows to attend among the plethora of exhibitions.

In Paris last month, amid the swirl of new voices, major retrospectives and multiple art fairs across arrondissements, I chose one that allowed me to decelerate and truly see: “UMBRA,” Nika Neelova’s solo exhibition, on view through December 19 at NIKA Project Space in Komunuma.

I wrote the article for the Observer.

Here is the link to the piece

Published! Contemporary Istanbul and the Biennale for Qantara

By: Naima Morelli

01-11-2025

English, Essay, Interview, Middle East, News, Published, Reportage, Research

Zwei Personen stehen in einem Korridor, mit dem Rücken zueinander, und betrachten Gemälde, die an den Wänden hängen.

The art world came to Turkey in September for two high-profile events: Contemporary Istanbul and the 18th Istanbul Biennial. Against a backdrop of political crisis and growing censorship, organisers and artists found creative ways to stay relevant. I wrote the article for Qantara.

Here is the link to the piece

Naima Morelli

Published! Kazakhstan at the Venice Biennale for Times of Central Asia

Published! Tunis art scene for Observer

Published! Burmese exiled artists for Le Quotidien de l’Art

Published! Asian pavillions at Venice Biennale for Il Manifesto

Published! Art scenes in Marrakech and Casablanca for Qantara

Published! Interview with Yasmine Berrada for Observer

Published! Interview with Mariem Abutaleb for Markaz Review

Published! 421 Arts Campus for ArtAsiaPacific

Published! 24 Hours in Oslo on IFDM

Published! Interview with Ymane Fakhir for Le Quotidien de l’Art

Published! Interview with Nika Neelova for Observer

Published! Contemporary Istanbul and the Biennale for Qantara

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