Khaddouj Barghout (1999) lives and works in Rotterdam. Her focus is currently on drawing, painting and sculpting. Whilst learning from old masters, she manages to use traditional techniques to create tantalising contemporary art.

 

Being raised in a conservative family led Barghout to portray themes of oppression, liberation and the loss of innocence. Fascinated by contradictions in relation to these subjects, she portrays conflicts between purity and vulgarity, between grace and depravity. This leaves horror and lust to merge together into detailed and defying artworks. Together with a longing for (sexual) liberation, the use of detail and strong contrasts enhances the constant underlying presence of dread, rage and madness. On the surface, however, she plays with a peculiar wittiness, leaving the viewer trapped in contrariety.