Mous[t] See: Lamrabat's Homecoming at Marrakech
Distinguished by compelling scenic narratives, Mous Lamrabat’s vivid and surreal compositions evoke intimate moments of connection, shifting how we perceive both ourselves and others. Rooted in the intricacies of identity and culture, his shimmering editorials uncover the subtle yet profound intersections of human affinity amidst contemporary dissonance. Through his return to Morocco, Lamrabat refines his visual language, deepening the discourse on belonging and lingering homesickness. Within the speculative realm of Mousganistan, he reconceptualizes Morocco’s iconography, assimilating it into a metaverse that blurs the distinctions between praxis and modernism.
Mous LAMRABAT, Listen to Your Heart (2024), Courtesy of Loft Art Gallery
In this interview, Mous Lamrabat discusses the conceptual foundations of Homesick, his latest series on view at Loft Art Gallery Marrakech through March 15, 2025. The 20 new works manifest as a sentimental peregrination, underlining the profound, multifarious bonds between selfhood and homeland. Lamrabat reflects on his creative process, driven by a longing to explore the ties that tether individuals to their native lands while engaging with the emotional undercurrents of the diaspora experience between longing and belonging.
Maria YIGOUTI : Can you share a vivid memory of when homesickness struck you most deeply, and how did it influence the imagery of your series “Homesick”?
Mous LAMRABAT : The name Homesick came to me when I decided to travel to Morocco after a year away. I stayed for one month, no plan, no preparation, I just bought a ticket. Marrakech has always been good to me, I love it! I arrived without ideas or inspiration and found myself trying to force them. But just two days after landing, the ideas began to flow. I thought, “Oh god, I’ve really missed this place.” It’s incredibly inspiring, there’s genius everywhere, and it’s such a gift to walk through spaces where inspiration feels effortless. I felt at home right away. That was when I seriously considered moving here. There’s some kind of magic in Marrakech!
Maria YIGOUTI : How has your understanding of “home” evolved as you navigate life between Morocco and Belgium?
Mous LAMRABAT : Home is something that I didn’t pay a lot of attention to, growing up between Belgium and Morocco, Now that I'm older and wiser, I think home is just a concept, a feeling as opposed to a place. You can feel at home somewhere, but there’s always something you miss. You always get a little homesick for something. Even if I were to live in Morocco, which feels like home to me, I’d still miss my parents deeply. For me, home isn’t just a place—it’s also my family. My parents live in Belgium, and as long as they’re around, I don’t think I’ll ever lose that sense of home. I could be anywhere in the world, but if I didn’t see my parents for two weeks, I’d definitely feel homesick for them. Home is where your parents are! So, maybe home just has something to do with love, you know.
Maria YIGOUTI : In your work, you blend Moroccan traditions with contemporary aesthetics. How do you decide which elements to merge, and are there symbols that hold personal significance for you?
Mous LAMRABAT : Traditions are beautiful because they tell stories. I’m always searching for that story, though it doesn’t always present itself immediately. Sometimes, inspiration feels like treasure hunting—finding something that sparks emotion. For me, this shared identity of being Belgian-Moroccan, or Moroccan-Belgian, has unlocked so many artistic solutions. It’s become the foundation of my creative process.
“I’ll always push the idea that we have so much more in common than we think. This is what I try to show in my work—how many things connect us. I feel blessed to bring all these people together. If I can be the glue in this lifetime, then I’m happy to be that glue”
Mous LAMRABAT, Star-Struck (2024), Courtesy of Loft Art Gallery
Maria YIGOUTI : What have been the biggest challenges in expressing your dual Moroccan-Belgian identity through art, and how have you worked through them?
Growing up in Belgium with a Moroccan background was a challenge. You don’t fit in, you don’t belong anywhere. And as a kid, belonging is everything. It feels like I’ve figured it out: I’ve taken these two backgrounds and made something out of them. I’m lucky that the work I create within this duality is appreciated and recognized. My art is a coping mechanism for all the challenges I’ve faced.
Maria YIGOUTI : What reactions or conversations do you hope to spark with “Homesick” particularly within the diaspora?
Mous LAMRABAT : With Homesick, I simply hope to evoke the feeling that there’s truly no place like home. This series is my way of reconnecting with my roots. I can try to adapt to being European, but my roots always call me back. People need to land, to put their feet on soil that resonates with their DNA. When we’re young, we try to ignore it. I never imagined Morocco would be a place I’d visit alone, without my family, but I was wrong. There was a time when I was searching for myself, both mentally and artistically, and going back to Morocco alone gave me the answers I needed. That journey changed everything. It helped me rediscover who I am.
“For those with countless questions, you can find so many answers by going home. ”
Maria YIGOUTI : Your statement “Until my last breath, I will try to bring people together.” is deeply moving. How does this mission influence the themes and process of your work?
Mous LAMRABAT : With an exhibition, you bring people into a space—people who might never usually be in the same place. It’s about connecting different interests, sparking conversations, and trying to understand each other. As artists, we’re like windows, offering people a peek into our worlds. I think that’s something really important. And as long as people show up and ask questions, I’ll always push the idea that we have so much more in common than we think. This is what I try to show in my work—how many things connect us. I feel blessed to bring all these people together. If I can be the glue in this lifetime, then I’m happy to be that glue.
Mous Lamrabat, United states of Amazigh (2023), Courtesy of Loft Art Gallery
Maria YIGOUTI : Can you share a personal anecdote or memorable exchange that has left a lasting impact on your artistic journey?
Mous LAMRABAT : I was at the first edition of 1-54 in Marrakech by accident, invited by La Mamounia, where it was hosted. It was early in my career, and when I saw the fair, my goal was to be part of it—all African artists coming together and being celebrated. There was an opening dinner, and I ended up talking to a journalist. I asked him what his thoughts on the show were, and he said, "You know what, for Africa, it’s not bad."
That comment felt like a stab in the chest at that moment. I still think about it with every exhibition I do, with every piece of praise I receive, and with every publication I contribute to. It was a very harsh thing to say. I don’t want to be a good artist just because I’m African. I want to be a good artist for the world, not just a specific narrative. I need to stay hungry and evolving. That single sentence became a driving force for me.
Maria YIGOUTI : How do you see the evolving representation of culture and identity in the art world today, and how does your own work contribute to that shift?
Mous LAMRABAT : Look at the art world, even the commercial sector. We’re seeing more people of color take on roles as creative directors, and it’s beautiful to witness this celebration of roots as the foundation of creative practice. How unique can you truly be if you’re only replicating what you’ve already seen? Your surroundings, your upbringing—these are the foundations of creativity. It's much easier to create something from who you are than being forced to create something that's so far from you.
When you flip through magazines or editorials now, there’s a familiarity that wasn’t there before. As immigrants, we start to notice this shift—this space is now ours too. We belong here; we have a seat at the table. I deeply appreciate that. I’m not sure how much my work contributes to this shift, or if it’s even a part of it, but I’d like to think it does. My message is simple: come home and take a look. There’s healing in that. It offers so many answers.
Through this deeply introspective turn, Mous Lamrabat examines both the literal and metaphorical landscapes of his identity. His photographs inspire reflection on the intrinsic human yearning for belonging, eloquently asserting that identity is neither fixed nor monolithic but a fluid, ever-evolving narrative cast by the convergence of personal experiences and shared collective memories. Homesick is as much a personal odyssey as it is a visual affirmation of this universal longing—a connection to roots that transcends the confines of origin, reminding us that revisiting these ties holds the power to heal, transform, and redefine our understanding of home.
Mous Lamrabat’s solo exhibition, Homesick, is currently on display at Loft Art Galley Marrakech, running through March 15, 2025.
