Dalel Tangour, a leading figure in Maghrebi photography
Dalel Tangour, a prominent figure in photography in the Maghreb, shares with Echosplus her creative universe, her sources of inspiration and her unique artistic process. Her works, which capture with great sensitivity the spirit of their time, are currently on display at AYN Gallery in Paris until 1 December 2024.
Your artistic journey has taken you across several countries and cultures of the Maghreb. How have your experiences in Tunisia and Algeria influenced your approach to photography?
The richness of our architectural heritage and traditional craftsmanship reflects the diversity and depth of our cultural legacies. Every carved stone, every finely crafted piece of jewellery and every handmade object carries within it the imprint of knowledge passed down from generation to generation, illustrating both our unity and our singularity.
Traditional garments, with their vibrant colours and distinctive motifs, embody the profound symbolism of different regions. Each garment tells a story — one of belonging, pride and identity. This richness, which distinguishes us, is also what unites us, as it reflects a shared identity shaped through diversity.
During my years of residence in Algiers in the early 1980s, I was able to observe and compare the essential roles played by our mothers in transmitting traditions, customs and cultural heritage. This rich and plural identity became a major source for my artistic research, centred on memory and its preservation.
My photographs aim to offer a poetic gaze upon this memory — an attempt to capture what both resembles us and brings us together. Through them, I seek to express this shared belonging, this invisible yet powerful thread that connects the peoples of the Maghreb.
In this work, I recognise the common qualities shared by the women of our region — their strength, resilience and indispensable role in maintaining the continuity of our traditions. It is this immaterial, profound and universal legacy that nourishes my vision and guides my artistic exploration.
Light and shadow play a central role in your work. How do you use these elements to explore themes such as identity and memory?
As a photographer, I have always been deeply drawn to the shadows created by light. This strong contrast between light and darkness lies at the heart of my creative approach.
In my black-and-white photographs, I aim to magnify this opposition, because it carries a powerful symbolic dimension. The abrupt passage from transparency to opacity that appears in many of my series reflects the tension between what is visible and invisible, between what is revealed and what remains hidden.
This singularity — balanced on the fine line of contrast — carries an intensity that I constantly seek within each image: a pursuit of the invisible gradually revealed through light.
You are one of the first women photographers to establish yourself in Tunisia. What challenges did you face as a pioneer in a largely male-dominated field?
The path was not always easy, and the challenges were numerous, particularly in an environment that was still largely dominated by men. However, the late 1970s and 1980s in Tunisia were also years marked by a spirit of freedom and social progress that allowed women like me to venture into fields that had previously been less accessible.
As a young student and photographer, I was often perceived more as a curiosity than as a competitor. The questions directed at me were often respectful, but also tinged with surprise, because at that time photography was still an unusual practice for a woman.
My choice, however, was clear: rather than focusing purely on the aesthetic dimension of the image, I wanted to think about photography as an act — as a language. My goal was not to compete with my male colleagues, but to develop a personal reflection and a singular perspective on the world around me.
This approach ultimately allowed me to establish myself in the field — not through competition, but through offering a different way of seeing and capturing reality.
How have you perceived the evolution of women’s place in the Maghrebi art world since the beginning of your career?
Photography and cinema are today experiencing a remarkable boom, offering a significant freedom of expression. These artistic media, closely connected to technical and technological developments, have been propelled by the rise of social media, which has transformed the ways we create and share images.
The younger Maghrebi generation excels in this field, bringing a fresh and dynamic vision. Their approach to images is different: current events, social concerns and contemporary challenges shape a new aesthetic specific to the 21st century.
This generation is redefining the codes of visual storytelling, introducing a more immediate and interactive dimension that distinguishes itself from traditional practices.
For me, this revolution in modes of expression — combined with growing international recognition — has strengthened my commitment to reflecting on identity and memory. Such recognition is not only an honour but also a responsibility. It acts as a catalyst, encouraging me to deepen my artistic approach and continually question our relationship with history and heritage.
My view of the world remains guided by principles of modesty, authenticity, restraint and simplicity, values that shape the way I approach my work. They allow me to remain faithful to my roots while staying open to the transformations of our time.
As a visual arts teacher, what advice would you give to young Maghrebi artists who wish to pursue an artistic career?
Be yourself.
The sensitivity of the gaze is a commitment — a responsibility towards what we choose to capture and reveal. It is essential to develop a conscious gaze, one capable of feeling and interpreting the world authentically.
This gaze, as a witness to our time, allows us to situate ourselves within a genuine artistic approach, free from external dictates and influences.
Our identity and heritage — carriers of our roots and histories — shape our paths and our choices, guiding every creative gesture.
In your artistic practice, it is important to remain contemporary, to stay connected to the world around you while drawing from the richness of your origins. This richness is an inexhaustible source, fertile ground for nurturing your work.
However, it is crucial not to be swept away by the frenzy of the star system or the expectations imposed by consumer society. This model is a relentless race — a trap in which one risks losing one’s authenticity.