Rachid Koraïchi

• Name — Rachid Koraïchi • Born — 20 January 1947 • Birthplace — Ain Beida, Algeria • Education — * École des Beaux-Arts, Algeria • École des Arts Décoratifs • École des Beaux-Arts, Paris • Known for — Painter, sculptor, print-maker, installation artist, photographer, ceramicist • Movement — Hurufiyya movement • Awards — Jameel Prize (2011)

Rachid Koraïchi was born on 20 January 1947 in Ain Beida, Algeria into a Sufi family of Qu'ranic scholars and copyists. Koraïchi received his early art education at the École des Beaux-Arts in Algeria, where he studied calligraphy. Later, he attended the École des Arts Décoratifs and the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. His Sufi upbringing has influenced much of his work by giving him an interest in scripts and symbols. For Koraïchi, writing is sacred and charged with meaning. His work makes extensive use of Arabic calligraphy as well as glyphs drawn from other languages. • Illustration — Wrought iron calligraphic figure by Koraichi from the 'Path of Roses' series, 2000-2004, in the British Museum

Koraïchi has produced work in varied media, including ceramics, textiles, installation art, metallurgy, painting, and printmaking, and often collaborates with local artisans in his work.

In 2001, Koraïchi exhibited at the Venice Biennale. In 2011, Koraïchi won the Jameel Prize from the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

• Year — Title — Institution — Location — Ref • 1998 — Jardin du Paradis, Festival International des jardins. Chaumont-sur-loire — Leighton House — London • 1999 — Global Conceptualism: Points of Origin, 1950s-1980s — Queens Museum — New York • 1999-2000 — Lettres d'Argile — Contemporary Art Museum, Caracas — Venezuela • Limoges • Algeria • 2000 — L'Enfant Jazz — Institut de monde arabe — Paris • 2001 — Beirut's Poem and Path of Roses — National Gallery of Fine Art — Amman, Jordan • Venice Biennale • 2002 — Rachid Koraïchi: 7 Variations autour de l'Indigo — Vieille Charit et Alors Hors Du Temps — Marseille • 2006 — MOMA — New York