Hafez Gallery proudly presents The White Lilies of Marrakech: Women as Timeless Narratives. A solo exhibition by renowned international artist Lana Khayat, running from February 19 – March 25, 2025.
Rooted in the rich cultural heritage of Morocco, the collection is an homage to Jardin Majorelle’s 100th year, as well as Khayat’s enduring narrative on the strength and resilience of women. Her work at the intersection of nature, script and abstraction is deeply personal yet universally resonant; by inviting viewers to connect with shared themes of identity, heritage and transformation. As the first woman in her family to thrive in their rich artistic lineage, Khayat’s art has challenged inherited expectations and strives to create spaces that honor the legacy of women.
Her work for this exhibition is a refined mélange of elements; script, nature and femininity. They are intricately woven to expose a harmony of opposites, a meditative space where the artist explores the duality of fragility and power, fluidity and form.
Inspired by the centennial legacy of Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech, Khayat’s work embraces the white lily as poetic symbols of resilience and grace, an enduring theme in Khayat’s work. The lily symbolizes the strength of women, who like the flower navigate challenges with elegance and thrive against all odds.
The body of work also celebrates script; the structure and precision of ancient Tifinagh is juxtaposed by the flowing elegance of Arabic calligraphy. Khayat reimagines these ancient scripts transforming their geometric and fluid forms into lyrical compositions which form a bridge between history and modernity. Each piece becomes a narrative tapestry where language, nature and femininity intertwine, inviting viewers to reflect on the enduring influence of women in art and culture.
Lana Khayat is a contemporary artist celebrated for her ability to transform historical traditions into bold modern narratives. Her work bridges the worlds of ancient linguistic heritage and contemporary art, offering profound reflections on the interconnectedness of identity, culture and creativity.
The White Lilies of Marrakech: Women as Timeless Narratives marks a decided emancipation in the techniques of the artist herself. The once-camouflaged lilies, are elegantly unveiled in all their glory. Her disciplined color schemes are let loose with unabashed color. The play on script, both calligraphic and geometric is bolder and more pronounced, whereas the pièce de resistance is the signature of the artist herself, graduating to an unassuming single noun; a symbol of her gentle confidence and feminine power.
Press release from Hafez Gallery
Image: Lana Khayat. Forms of the Forgotten. 2024. 315 x 135 cm. Image courtesy of the artist and Hafez Gallery
