(1940 – 2009)

Born in Essaouira in 1940, Benhila Regraguia was a self-taught artist and one of the few spontaneous artists. She entered the world of visual arts by chance, and the theme of love had a significant impact on her, guiding her into the realm of visual art. Despite the challenges from her conservative family and husband, Regraguia persisted in painting and only stopped when her health crisis intensified.

Benhila Regraguia is one of the few spontaneous artists whose works have gained popularity both in Morocco and internationally. Alongside the late artist Shuaiba Talal and Fatima Hassan, they formed an artistic trio praised by art critics. Numerous exhibitions were held inside Morocco and abroad, including in Germany, Bahrain, Switzerland, Spain, and Italy. Her life story became the subject of a television film titled “Regraguia,” starring Fatima Khair and directed by Kamal Kamal, produced by the Moroccan Channel 2 in 2009.

She undertook the adventure of pigment painting at a late age, precisely in 1988, and taught herself to read and write. Similar to visionary artists, she produced preliminary drawings filled with exotic shapes and vibrant colors.

Through her artistic works, Benhila Regraguia managed to establish a new spontaneous language in the world of color and form. This language relied on narrative fragments and expressive compositions laden with the concerns of turbulent times.

Fatima Al Marnissi dedicated an article to Benhila’s experience in her reference book “Sinbad Al Maghrib,” stating, “You see her looking at you with big and calm eyes, the tranquility of a woman who, in her life and paintings, managed to weave a light not expected, while fate afflicted her with darkness and disappointments.”

Source: Wikipedia