Bio

Hisham Echafaki is a self-taught painter and sculptor with a fascination for nature and the animal world. Working in oil, acrylic resin or clay, his work focuses on surrealist compositions with animals, in particular endangered species and examines the impact that humankind exerts on the environment’s fragile balance.
Whilst his artwork evokes a sense of wonderment for nature’s colours and patterns, it often incorporates anthropomorphic and ‘trompe-l’oeil’ features that engage the viewer to reflect on our complex relationship with the animal world as well as the importance of conservation and protection of our planet’s rich diversity.
Hisham Echafaki also paints multidimensional animals on Perspex or on resin to give the optical illusion that they are or were once real specimen. Presented as faux taxidermy some animals often display anthropomorphic features on their wings or bodies with recognizable patterns found in art, design, science or architecture while others are simply more lifelike. Each piece is a tribute to the beautiful intricacy and complexity of the animal world but also a critique of how humans are affecting and shaping evolutionary changes in animal species.
Selected Exhibitions
2023 Summer Show, Group Exhibition, Adlib Gallery, London (upcoming)
2023 Queer Frontiers, Group show, Artiq, London
2022 Memorabilia Naturae, Solo show, Museum Jean Larcena, Val d’Ocre, France
2022 Wild and Wonderful, Group show, 508 Gallery/ Bobcat Gallery, London
2021 The Other Art Fair, Saatchi, London
2020 ‘Forces’ Group Show, ArtNumber23, London
2020 Relationships: an Artist’s perspective Group show, BOS Gallery, Dublin
2019 Musee de La Poste, Commissioned Mural, Paris
2019 The Other Art Fair, Saatchi, Los Angeles
2018 The Other Art Fair, Saatchi, London
2017 The Other Art Fair, Saatchi, Bristol
2017 ‘Flourish’ Group Show, Chelsea Fringe, Espacio Gallery, London
2017 Talented Art Fair London
2016 ‘Codes of Faith’ Group Show, Laura I Gallery, London
2015 Lusus Naturae Solo Show, Butterfly Art News, London
2013 ‘The Many Faces of David Bowie’ Group Show, Opera Gallery, London
2013 ‘Paris Match Covers’ Group Show, Opera Gallery, Paris
2012 Candid Arts Trust Group Show, London
2011 Solo show, Kufa Gallery, London