“Art came to me through letters. Since my first traces on a clay tablet, I have sought memory within matter. Each work continues that childhood gesture; writing before knowing how to read, sensing meaning before understanding it. Between writing and form, between memory and erasure, metal and wood become witnesses of time. Like Sisyphus, I repeat the gesture, not to conquer, but to comprehend."
Bachir Hadji
Born in Constantine , Algérie
Lives and works in Lyon , France
Bachir Hadji, a Franco-Algerian artist, is a multidisciplinary creator. A graduate of the École nationale des Beaux-Arts in Constantine and the École nationale supérieure des Arts plastiques in Lyon, he has developed a body of work deeply rooted in both memory and material. A true sculptor of remembrance, Hadji draws upon the artisanal tradition of metal-engraving practiced by the dinandiers of his native Constantine — transforming this heritage into a contemporary visual language that fuses craft, history, and poetic form. His artistic practice is deeply rooted in the craft tradition of the coppersmiths from his hometown of Constantine, where engraved brass work transcends mere decoration to serve as a vessel for the memories of an ever-changing world. His creations, fashioned from bronze, wood, or brass, are characterized by circular engravings and enriched with animal symbols, particularly that of the donkey—a central motif that is both embodied and interrogative. These forms raise important questions about transmission, collective memory, and the processes of erasure. Eschewing a purely aesthetic purpose, Hadji’s artistic exploration delves into themes of time, language, and the enigma of meaning.
In Hadji's work, the donkey transcends its literal representation to become a universal symbol, imbued with humility and significant symbolic weight. It serves as a companion to the marginalized and the exiled, taking on the role of bearer of stories, narratives, and suffering. Far from being a mere folkloric or fetishist object, the donkey embodies a profound force, reminiscent of Sisyphus in its humility—acting as a double of the artist and a silent observer of the human condition. This creature, both familiar and mythical, becomes a powerful voice for expressing human fragility, as articulated by the artist himself: “I am similar in misfortune and equal in death.” Through this symbolic figure, Hadji engages in a profound inquiry into the notions of memory and humanity.
Hadji's work has been exhibited extensively in France and on the prestigious international stage, from galleries in New York to Istanbul, Laongo, and Aswan. In 2014, he received an award from the Burkinabe government in recognition of his artistic contributions. Representing Algeria at various major festivals and biennials, his works are now part of numerous public and private collections.