Tunisian artist Ahmed Laroussi opens solo exhibition in Korea
Tunisian visual artist Ahmed Laroussi poses with his painting "Eternal Brilliance" at Verger Art Gallery in western Seoul, Sept. 12. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
Tunisian visual artist Ahmed Laroussi opened his first solo exhibition in Korea at Verger Art Gallery in western Seoul on Sept. 12.
Titled "Beyond Horizons," the exhibition explores themes of imagination, technology and the infinite possibilities of the future.
Laroussi, who works between Korea, Tunisia and France, began his artistic journey at a young age.
"My artistic journey began at the age of 4, when my older sister and I started drawing scenes from cartoons we used to watch on television. At the age of 7, I held my first exhibition at school, organized by the school administration," he told The Korea Times.
“From early on, drawing gave me a sense of uniqueness, a quiet confidence in doing something no one else around me could. Over the years, art became a safe refuge, a place I could escape to during times of pressure or emotional weight. Today, painting is my way of expressing my vision of the world and addressing issues and emotions that are often difficult to articulate in words.”
He works across multiple mediums, including pencil drawing and acrylic painting, both oil and water-based. Known for his graffiti and mural art, he has received multiple awards and created a public artwork permanently installed at Barcelona Square in Tunis, Tunisia.
Tunisian visual artist Ahmed Laroussi poses with his painting "Golden Simpson" at Verger Art Gallery in western Seoul, Sept. 12. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
The solo exhibition features 14 paintings, including five of Laroussi’s representative works — "Echoes of Silence," "Luminous Flesh," "The Alchemy of Pride," "Blue Reverie" and "Wired Skin" — alongside new pieces created for the exhibition. His paintings explore contemporary issues such as freedom, identity and the relationship between humans and technology, offering viewers a wide scope for personal interpretation.
A poster for Tunisian visual artist Ahmed Laroussi's solo show at Verger Art Gallery in western Seoul / Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
“My deepest intention is for my thoughts and emotions to outlive me, to keep speaking through my art after I’m gone," he said. "I believe that when an artwork truly connects with someone, it becomes a living presence, carrying the creator’s soul forward long after their voice has faded.”
Through every piece, he strives to create a space where resistance, memory and imagination come together, inviting the viewer into an inner world that words often fail to describe.
Song Da-eun, founder and CEO of Verger Art Gallery, recalls her first encounter with the artist’s work. “When I first received his portfolio by email, I thought I had never seen such vivid colors and strong energy in paintings before,” she said. “That’s why I chose his paintings; I wanted many Koreans to see them too. His work is very unique, reflecting the relationship between humans, technology and the future.”
The "Beyond Horizons" exhibition runs until Sept. 26. The gallery has extended its visiting hours from Tuesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visit vergerartgallery.com for more information or follow @massimo_tn on Instagram.
Bereket Alemayehu is an Ethiopian photo artist, social activist and writer based in Seoul. He’s also the co-founder of Hanokers, a refugee-led social initiative, and freelance contributor for Pressenza Press Agency.