Asmae Laraqui
Montreal
Multidisciplinary artist whose voice emerges through hybrid ceramic whispers of movement, memory, and the earth’s fragile breath.
Message
Asmae Laraqui is a Canadian multidisciplinary visual artist born in Morocco and currently based in Tiohtià:ke (Montréal), the unceded territory of the Kanien’kehá:ka Nation. She holds a Ceramic BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) in Visual Arts from Montreal's Concordia University. Her practice specializes in sculpture and the hybridization of porcelain, stoneware, metal, glass, and fibers—nourished by a rich transcultural heritage.
Through intuitive techniques, Asmae explores organic forms inspired by ocean depths, coral reefs, roots, and invisible ecosystems. Her work breaks genre boundaries to create poetic microarchitectures that express memory, the fragility of living beings, migratory identity, and a powerful inner force—inviting contemplation and intimate dialogue with nature.
Her sculptures have been featured in solo and group exhibitions across Canada and Portugal, establishing her presence in the contemporary art scene. In 2020, she received the Dem’Art grant from the Conseil des arts de Montréal, in collaboration with Circa Art Actuel, with her work showcased at Popop Galerie. In 2023, she was awarded a research and experimentation grant focused on material hybridization from the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ).
Asmae’s artistic journey has led her to prestigious residencies, including Loulé Criativo and Officina de Barro in Portugal (2020), Keramik at Guldagergaard International Ceramic Research Center in Denmark (2024), and the upcoming TOPO & Art’Up ceramic sculpture residency in Toulon, France (2026). Beyond exhibitions, she shares her passion for ceramics through artistic mediation workshops and community engagement in her Mile-End studio, where she fosters a dynamic space for creation, communication, community engagement, and interdisciplinary dialogue.
Statement
My artistic journey began within the framework of traditional ceramic practice, rooted in a culture shaped by strict societal norms. Over time, my work evolved into a more personal and experimental expression, seeking to transcend established conventions. I initially explored sculptural forms beyond utility before embarking on a deeper investigation into the hybridization of materials in innovative ways.
The integration of diverse elements into my creations has become a metaphor for my own process of adapting to new cultures—each technical challenge echoing the transitions I’ve experienced while moving across countries. This experimentation led me to fuse porcelain with materials such as plant and synthetic fibers, glass, and metal, resulting in hybrid works that are unexpected, unconventional, and aesthetically striking.
At the heart of my practice lies a desire to push materials beyond their natural boundaries, encouraging them to coexist in novel forms. This intuitive process reflects my search for harmony between cultures—a journey where artistic transformation embodies the complexity and fragility of human identity. Here, ceramics become a space for experimentation and subtle metamorphoses, representing my singular contribution to the contemporary redefinition of ceramic art—an ever-evolving dialogue with the organic and personal transformations that shape my path.