• Overview
    Through a series of spontaneous movements, directly inspired by the way canvas responds to layers of paint and gestures applied to it, Jaoui compares his work to a dance routine with a familiar partner

    Creating captivating and labor-intensive work with the idea of continuing the legacy of the abstract expressionism movement from the 50s and 60s, Taher Jaoui's paintings are rich assemblages of layered forms, vibrant colors, and expressive gestures, and mathematics signs and formulas. Applied on canvas through a dynamic interaction, a physical back and forth dialogue in which perspective and orientation continuously change until all the elements are balanced right, these opulent creations are the artist's personal way of expressing himself.


    Through a series of spontaneous movements, directly inspired by the way canvas responds to layers of paint and gestures applied to it, Jaoui compares his work to a dance routine with a familiar partner. And while impulsive and unconstrained in its core, familiarity with materials is essential for the creative process that strongly depends on the ability to respond quickly and foresee the way the elements will work together. Layering pastels, oils, and acrylics, the artist accents the richness of his work by constructing a raw texture that directly captures the physical energy put into each piece. Serving as a channel to convey his thoughts, emotions, and visions, the artistic practice is Jaoui's source of confidence and peace, while the finished work becomes a documentation of the process of achieving those feelings.


    Without any formal art education, his artistic practice is influenced by African primitive art, graffiti, glitch art, COBRA movement as well as the philosophy and attitude of post-war abstract expressionism. Varying from simple forms and patterns over-familiar shapes that are reminiscent of abstracted skulls, all the way to chalkboard-like scribble sections, the canvas surface becomes the workspace through which the artist exercises his ways of expression.


    The concept of building something from a variety of singular elements is a direct result of computer science and engineering studies, parts of which are coming to life through abstract mathematics signs and formulas sometimes incorporated into Jaoui's entrancing compositions. This element, along with the spatial vision of the surface, once again makes a strong connection with early abstract expressionism concepts which considered ideas of quantum mechanics in their conceptualization.


    Regularly working on a large scale, the works which are exclusively built in an automatic or subconscious manner, are actually demanding careful planning and utilization of space and materials. While balancing between his thoughts and feelings while creating, Jaoui's work carries that sense of rebellious, anarchic, highly idiosyncratic and, some might say nihilistic feel to it, yet still constructing an endless base for viewer-dependent interpretation and experience.

  • Works
    • Accepting The Unchangeable
      Accepting The Unchangeable
    • An Awakened Dream
      An Awakened Dream
    • Connecting The Dots
      Connecting The Dots
    • Daylight Visions
      Daylight Visions
    • Eyes In The Mirror
      Eyes In The Mirror
    • Fishing In The Darkness
      Fishing In The Darkness
    • Fractured Facades
      Fractured Facades
    • I Did It For Me
      I Did It For Me
    • Melody Of The Shadows
      Melody Of The Shadows
    • Phantom Panorama
      Phantom Panorama
    • Space in Emptiness
      Space in Emptiness
    • The Chemistry Of Power
      The Chemistry Of Power
    • The Merciless Ape
      The Merciless Ape
    • The Noble With The Hat
      The Noble With The Hat
    • The Point Of No Return
      The Point Of No Return
    • The Ruthless Clown
      The Ruthless Clown
    • The Unpredictable Guest
      The Unpredictable Guest
    • The Virtuous Kane
      The Virtuous Kane
    • Transcending Ego
      Transcending Ego
    • Until The River Runs Dry
      Until The River Runs Dry
    • All In My Head
      All In My Head
    • An Encounter With Robots
      An Encounter With Robots
    • Blooming Sunflowers
      Blooming Sunflowers
    • Figures in Landscapes
      Figures in Landscapes
    • Happy Lizards
      Happy Lizards
    • Look But Don't Touch
      Look But Don't Touch
    • Love Sanctuary
      Love Sanctuary
    • Mindscape
      Mindscape
    • Mystical Figures
      Mystical Figures
    • Psycho in Love
      Psycho in Love
    • Shadow Puppets
      Shadow Puppets
    • Symbols and Figures
      Symbols and Figures
    • Take It Before You Leave It
      Take It Before You Leave It
    • The Dancing Figures
      The Dancing Figures
    • The Hungry Beast
      The Hungry Beast
    • The Lost Bird
      The Lost Bird
    • The Three Musketeers
      The Three Musketeers
    • Warrior and Beast
      Warrior and Beast