The exhibition “The Resistance Fighters” by Algerian artist Mustafa Boutadjine was inaugurated at the M’Fdi Zakaria Palace of Culture in Algiers. This showcase features a series of portraits depicting prominent figures in Algeria’s history and global revolutionary movements. The exhibition highlights the struggles of political activists, intellectuals, and artists who stood against oppression, with each portrait resonating with artistic sensitivity and technical mastery.
The exhibition, officially opened by Minister of Culture and Arts Souria Moualougi, includes over 20 large-scale portraits. These works portray the struggles of revolutionary figures from Algeria, Africa, Latin America, and other nations that resisted colonialism and imperialism. Among the portraits are tributes to Algerian martyrs such as Larbi Ben M’Hidi, Ali La Pointe, and Hassiba Ben Bouali, as well as notable activists like Djamila Bouhired and Djamila Boupacha. International figures including Patrice Lumumba, Fidel Castro, Nelson Mandela, Che Guevara, Ho Chi Minh, and Frantz Fanon are also honored.
Boutadjine’s technique involves collage art using fragments from renowned international magazines and newspapers. These collages create powerful visual representations of the resistance fighters’ defiance against repression, symbolizing the artist’s own rebellion against injustice. Each portrait is a tribute to these figures, emphasizing their contributions to the fight for freedom.
The artist’s unique style reflects his deep contemplation of history and resistance. His portraits go beyond merely depicting faces, capturing the essence of the lives they represent. These works, meticulously crafted with expert color distribution and design, convey personal and political narratives, offering more than simple visuals but deep insights into the fight against oppression.
At the exhibition’s opening, Minister Moualougi described Mustafa Boutadjine as a “significant Algerian artist recognized on the international stage,” and praised the event as an opportunity to admire “portraits that honor symbols of both Algerian and global resistance.”
The Minister also invited students of fine arts and the general public to visit the exhibition, encouraging them to engage with the works, which serve as a powerful reminder of national and global struggles for freedom.
In his statement to the Algerian Press Service (APS), Boutadjine reaffirmed his commitment to his artistic mission. He noted that the exhibition features 24 portraits, part of a broader collection of 300, representing global icons of resistance. This body of work has been acclaimed by art lovers worldwide.
Mustafa Boutadjine, born in Algiers in 1952, graduated from the School of Fine Arts in Algiers before continuing his studies in Paris. He specialized in decorative arts, planning, and later cosmetic and art sciences. Returning to Algeria in 1979, he taught at various institutions and exhibited extensively, winning several awards for his poster designs, notably for commemorating the 20th anniversary of Algeria’s independence in 1982.
The exhibition will remain open until October 12.
Mustafa Boutadjine exhibition . For more information, visit dzwatch.dz.
