Muhammad Melehi

BORN ASILAH, MOROCCO, 1936
Melehi graduated from the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Tetuan, Morocco, in 1955. He continued his studies in fine arts in Seville and Madrid Spain, then sculpture in Rome. From 1964-96 he was teacher of painting, sculpture and photography at the Ecole des beaux- Arts in Casablanca. He has had numerous group and solo exhibitions around the world. In 1978 along with Mohamed Bannissa, he founded a cultural association and international arts festival in his birthplace, Asilah, that has revitalized the region. Melehi has held prominent positions in the arts in Morocco, including Director of Arts for the Ministry of Culture, 1984-92, and Cultural consultant for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperations, 1990-91.