Biography
BEYOND THE ROOT
by Ikram El Messaoudi
Beyond the Root is an illustrated philosophy founded by Dutch-based illustrator Ikram El Messaoudi. Her work is driven by the aim to question, explore and discover that what is beyond the physical. This process is represented by a literal and metaphorical symbol Root that is iconic in her work. With an interest in religion, art and nature she developed a poetic handwriting that searches for a fine balance between sensitive lines and strong shapes. Once a year she introduces an on-going study which is based on a research. Her first study Bloom, a journey to harmony is launched in September 2015 at the exhibition ‘Botanic Art: A Flowering Science’ at Noord-Brabants Museum.
Ikram El Messaoudi (Netherlands, 1989) is an illustrator, print designer and founder of Beyond the Root. She is a graduate of the ArtEZ Fashion Masters (MA, 2015) and the Utrecht University of Arts (BA,2011). Since 2011 El Messaoudi works as a commercial and conceptual illustrator represented by Angelique Hoorn Management and has commissioned for clients such as de Bijenkorf, Glamcult, Financieel Dagblad and Modefabriek. At ArtEZ she gained professional experience as a print designer at Viktor & Rolf
