On the occasion of the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair in Marrakech, Valérie Barkowski opens the doors of her studio in Dar Bacha, just above the V. Barkowski store, for a deeply engaged exhibition: A(RT)wareness.
This initiative was born out of an encounter, a shared emotion, and a desire to act differently.
Two years ago, during a previous edition of 1-54, Dar Kawa welcomed collectors as part of a weekend curated by Céline Pissoort, designed to offer a more intimate insight look at the local art scene. It was also then that we crossed paths with Maritxu, an active member of the Keep A Breast Foundation.
A foundation, a purpose
Founded in 2000, Keep A Breast is an international non-profit organisation dedicated to breast cancer prevention through education, awareness, and art.
Its key message? Self-checking.
With a straightforward, inclusive and taboo-free approach, the foundation encourages women to reconnect with their bodies and monitor them regularly, especially through its free app: Check Yourself!
One of their most powerful projects is “Boobies”: life-cast busts of women entrusted to artists across the globe. Each sculpture becomes a canvas, a statement, a voice, telling stories of the body.
A(RT)wareness – Art, Bodies, and a Cause
On the occasion of the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair in Marrakech, Valérie Barkowski opens the doors of her studio in Dar Bacha, just above the V. Barkowski store, for a deeply engaged exhibition: A(RT)wareness.
This initiative was born out of an encounter a meeting, a shared emotion, and a desire to act differently.
Two years ago, during a previous edition of 1-54, Dar Kawa welcomed collectors as part of a weekend curated by Céline Pissoort, designed to offer a more intimate insight look at the local art scene. It was also then that we crossed paths with Maritxu, an active member of the Keep A Breast Foundation.
From Dar Kawa to the far corners of Morocco
Moved by the poetic and political strength of the project, Valérie Barkowski offered Dar Kawa as a creative space if the foundation ever wanted to bring the initiative to Morocco. That offer became reality in September 2024, when the house was transformed into a temporary casting studio.
Women, and one man too, of all ages, backgrounds, and expressions came together. Some shy, others bold. Moroccan, international, but all with a deep connection to Morocco. A human moment of sharing, generosity, and laughter. In that space, each cast became a statement, a striking testimony to body, memory, and choice.
An OFF exhibition, vivid and nomadic
After the casting, we had to look for Moroccan or Morocco-based artists willing to join the adventure.
Some busts travelled to Essaouira, Tétouan, Casablanca, Tahanaout…
Each artist told their own story through these identical yet uniquely interpreted forms.
And so came the long stretch of waiting. A year, sometimes longer. Gathering the busts became a journey in itself.
But now, here they are here.
And for the very first time, Valérie Barkowski and Céline Pissoort present them above the V. Barkowski store, during the 1-54 art fair, as part of ‘What’s on’, the OFF program of the fair.
A(RT)wareness – Art, Bodies, and a Cause
On the occasion of the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair in Marrakech, Valérie Barkowski opens the doors of her studio in Dar Bacha, just above the V. Barkowski store, for a deeply engaged exhibition: A(RT)wareness.
This initiative was born out of an encounter a meeting, a shared emotion, and a desire to act differently.
Two years ago, during a previous edition of 1-54, Dar Kawa welcomed collectors as part of a weekend curated by Céline Pissoort, designed to offer a more intimate insight look at the local art scene. It was also then that we crossed paths with Maritxu, an active member of the Keep A Breast Foundation.
A foundation, a purpose
Founded in 2000, Keep A Breast is an international non-profit organisation dedicated to breast cancer prevention through education, awareness, and art.
Its key message? Self-checking.
With a straightforward, inclusive and taboo-free approach, the foundation encourages women to reconnect with their bodies and monitor them regularly, especially through its free app:
👉 Check Yourself!
One of their most powerful projects is “Boobies”: life-cast busts of women entrusted to artists across the globe. Each sculpture becomes a canvas, a statement, a voice, telling stories of the body.
A(RT)wareness – Art, Bodies, and a Cause
On the occasion of the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair in Marrakech, Valérie Barkowski opens the doors of her studio in Dar Bacha, just above the V. Barkowski store, for a deeply engaged exhibition: A(RT)wareness.
This initiative was born out of an encounter a meeting, a shared emotion, and a desire to act differently.
Two years ago, during a previous edition of 1-54, Dar Kawa welcomed collectors as part of a weekend curated by Céline Pissoort, designed to offer a more intimate insight look at the local art scene. It was also then that we crossed paths with Maritxu, an active member of the Keep A Breast Foundation.
From Dar Kawa to the far corners of Morocco
Moved by the poetic and political strength of the project, Valérie Barkowski offered Dar Kawa as a creative space if the foundation ever wanted to bring the initiative to Morocco. That offer became reality in September 2024, when the house was transformed into a temporary casting studio.
Women, and one man too, of all ages, backgrounds, and expressions came together. Some shy, others bold. Moroccan, international, but all with a deep connection to Morocco. A human moment of sharing, generosity, and laughter. In that space, each cast became a statement, a striking testimony to body, memory, and choice.
A(RT)wareness is where contemporary art meets awareness of the body, prevention, and solidarity.
We won’t reveal more, for now.
But if you are in Marrakech between 5 and 11 February 2026, come and visit us.
Perhaps… you’ll be moved too, as we were and still are…
Featured artists : Yasmina Alaoui, Valérie Barkowski, Mahi Binebine, Margaux Derhy, Khadija El Abyad, Safae El Kadi, Rajae El Mouhandiz, Jean-François Fourtou, Yasmine Hadni, Yacout Hammdouch, Soumya Jalal, Sofia Kacimi, Naja Mehadji, Mohamed Mourabiti, Samy Snoussi, Amia Tafaouik Binebine, Barthélemy Togo, Delphine Warin, Othman Zine.