The artist
IbnElhabyb
Born in 1987 in Mohammedia, Othmane Ibnelhabyb is a self-taught Moroccan painter, calligrapher and graphic designer. Founder of Alwan Garden Studio, he has spent over twenty years exploring Arabic calligraphy, portraiture and abstraction through colour and material.
Biography
Othmane Ibnelhabyb
Born on 19 September 1987 in Mohammedia, Othmane Ibnelhabyb is a self-taught painter and professional graphic designer with over twenty years of experience. His practice sits at the crossroads of abstraction, expressionism, Arabic calligraphy, graffiti and digital art.
Since 2022 he has run Alwan Garden Studio in Mohammedia, a studio he designed and built entirely himself — a space for creation, exhibition and training. He has also taught visual arts at the private art school Global Art.
His career includes creative direction at Maison d'Art Studio (2020-2022) and Creative Brain Studio (2019-2020, photography), presidency of the Creative Brains Arts association (2020), and collaborations with major brands: artistic car decoration for Renault-Dacia's "Dacia Art Way" operation (2022), and mural campaigns with the Ministry of National Education delegation in Mohammedia under the "Pioneer Schools" programme (2024-2025).
His work has been shown at numerous festivals and forums across Morocco (Mohammedia, Rabat, Marrakech, Meknes, Tetouan, M'diq, Tangier, Casablanca) and has been covered by Moroccan press on several occasions.
Artistic approach
Since childhood, I have always been fascinated by the world of colours and shapes. My path in the visual arts has never followed a linear or predictable course; it is rather the reflection of an insatiable curiosity and a will to understand the world beyond its surface appearance. Every canvas I create is a fragment of my outlook on life, an attempt to capture the essence of human emotions through the prism of colour and texture.
Using colour is not, for me, a simple aesthetic choice. It is a language in itself, capable of conveying nuances of emotion and complex feelings that words cannot express. In my work I blend classical techniques with more experimental approaches, always seeking to push the limits of my creativity and offer a visual experience that challenges and questions.
My approach to visual analysis is deliberately unconventional. I refuse to stick to strict rules or codified interpretations. Instead, I explore forms, contrasts and movements with a freedom that lets me discover unexpected harmonies and fresh perspectives.
Timeline
2007 – 2009
Technician diploma, mechanical industry — Higher Industrial Institute of Mohammedia (OFPPT-ISIM)
2015 – 2016
Specialisation certificate in graffiti and urban art — Urban Art Academy
2017 – 2018
Professional diploma in Arabic calligraphy and artistic decoration — Centre of Calligraphy and Arabic Arts
2018
Professional diploma in interdisciplinary artistic creativity — International Academy of Creative Arts
2019 – 2020
Artistic director (photography) — Creative Brain Studio
2020 – 2021
Professional diploma in digital photography (training led by JSK Way, BlackPixel studio)
2020 – 2021
Professional training certificate in infographics — Arago Cube Formation Centre
2020
President of the Creative Brains Arts association
2020 – 2022
Artistic director — Maison d'Art Studio
2020
Awareness murals against Covid-19, Mohammedia neighbourhoods
2022
Founding of Alwan Garden Studio, Mohammedia
2022
Automotive art decoration "Dacia Art Way" — Renault-Dacia national company
2023
Infographics training — Tawjih Academy
2024
Certificate in digital drawing and concept art — Digital Creative School
2024 – 2025
Certified graphic designer diploma — Higher School of Training in Visual Arts (ANIG)
2024 – 2025
Diploma in drawing — Arab Arts Forum (Very Good distinction)
2024 – 2025
Workshops and murals — Ministry of National Education delegation, "Pioneer Schools" programme, Mohammedia
2026
Professional certificate in visual identity and advertising design — Graphic Design Institute
“I see art as the language of the soul when words fail to express. Every painting for me is a window to the self, and a bridge towards humanity. I search in colour for the meaning of existence, and in line for the pulse of memory.”
Journey
Education
- 2015 – 2016Specialisation certificate in graffiti and urban art — Urban Art Academy
- 2017 – 2018Professional diploma in Arabic calligraphy and artistic decoration — Centre of Calligraphy and Arabic Arts
- 2018Professional diploma in interdisciplinary artistic creativity — International Academy of Creative Arts
- 2020 – 2021Professional diploma in digital photography (training led by JSK Way, BlackPixel studio)
- 2020 – 2021Professional training certificate in infographics — Arago Cube Formation Centre
- 2023Infographics training — Tawjih Academy
- 2024Certificate in digital drawing and concept art — Digital Creative School
- 2024 – 2025Certified graphic designer diploma — Higher School of Training in Visual Arts (ANIG)
- 2024 – 2025Diploma in drawing — Arab Arts Forum (Very Good distinction)
- 2026Professional certificate in visual identity and advertising design — Graphic Design Institute
- 2007 – 2009Technician diploma, mechanical industry — Higher Industrial Institute of Mohammedia (OFPPT-ISIM)
Collaborations
- 2022Automotive art decoration "Dacia Art Way" — Renault-Dacia national company
- 2020Awareness murals against Covid-19, Mohammedia neighbourhoods
- 2024 – 2025Workshops and murals — Ministry of National Education delegation, "Pioneer Schools" programme, Mohammedia
Milestones
- 2022Founding of Alwan Garden Studio, Mohammedia
- 2020President of the Creative Brains Arts association
- 2020 – 2022Artistic director — Maison d'Art Studio
- 2019 – 2020Artistic director (photography) — Creative Brain Studio