GAGA BARAKAH
THE fisherman’s cave
Fresco painting on roughcast wall
Massa Stories Residency, November 2022
Fishermen’s caves of Ifrane Sidi Rbat, Agadir, Morocco
A cave and... 4 days to paint. Facing the Atlantic Ocean, welcomed by the fishermen and the village community, the challenge is to transform the cave into an artistic immersion, in dialogue with the inhabitants. I meet MBarack, the fisherman. The interior of his house is delicate, practical and colorful. His moustache and deep dark eyes are very familiar to me. I call MBarack "Mister Obama", he calls me "The Woman".
Despite my limited knowledge of Arabic, we laugh a lot. I am inspired by the myth of Jonah.The legend says that the prophet landed on this Moroccan shore after being swallowed by the whale. In 2012, as an unfortunate echo to this story, a whale washed up on this beach. It could not be saved and was buried in the sand.
I wish to offer the community a space to daydream. Because once I leave the cave, I want its inhabitants to feel the joy, to remember the times together, and to tell the stories of their place. "Gaga" means whale in Arabic slang, and "barakah" is a blessing, a divine favor.
May this cave bring good luck to whoever visits it.
Special thanks to: Le Cercle De l’Art founder and artist Margaux Derhy,
Mr Barack for his trust, Abdellah for his precious help.
Fellow artists: Alice Gauthier, Carla Talopp, Virginie Rasmont.
This fresco is dedicated to my grandmother Ninette Zagury and the joyful community of Sidi Rbat.
