Formed at the Haute École des Arts du Rhin (HEAR, 2015), Ouissem Moalla (born in 1990 in Stockholm) explores themes of space and memory in his work, drawing inspiration from the research of historian Frances A. Yates. He draws from popular and literary culture, myths, and major texts, with language as a recurring thread. This takes shape through performances, installations, and paintings in which he questions space, our relationship to places, cosmogony, and beliefs.

Whether in Mulhouse, where his studio is located, or during residencies (Motoco&co Tokyo 2018; CEEAC - Basis E.v. Frankfurt 2023; Villa Salammbô Institut français Tunisia 2024), he works with the remnants of industrial ruins (G.O.L.D, 2017), explores myths and representations of urban gateways (Impressions d’Espaces, 2024), wanders around a Shinto shrine carrying chairs strapped to his back to form the character 目 (mù / eye) (Monkey, 2018), or reinterprets mystical texts by intertwining language and the body (Clavis Tabula, 2023). His work, enriched by multicultural influences, flirts with the human and social sciences, questioning archives and communities.

Ouissem Moalla classifies his works into «series», each forming a universe that he continuously expands with new projects exploring the same themes.

AQUARIUS 2017-2023

A narrative fiction of cosmic origins.

Aquarius is a narrative triptych inspired by cosmogonic accounts, particularly the concept of astrological ages. Water serves as the stage upon which all movements leading to the creation of the universe unfold. Materials and objects, each imbued with symbolic meaning, interact through water—used here for its properties as a dissolvent, a coagulant, and an agent of fusion.

Ready made items, painting, water,mirror & glass aquarium. 100x100x30 cm, 2023.
"Aquarius : Eros", Ready made items, painting, water,mirror & glass aquarium. 100x100x30 cm, 2023.
« Aquarius : Amnios » - water, alginate sphere & strontium aluminate in aquarium 120 x 50 x 60 cm - 2020
« Aquarius : Amnios » - water, alginate sphere & strontium aluminate in aquarium 120 x 50 x 60 cm - 2020
« Aquarius : Cosmo » - wood, water & fine salt powder in aquarium 100 x 50 x 50 cm - 2017
« Aquarius : Cosmo » - wood, water & fine salt powder in aquarium 100 x 50 x 50 cm - 2017