Tunisia's Contemporary Art Scene: A City of Resilience and Creativity

Despite negative news, Tunisia is seen as less dramatic from within, with young people studying and committed to their country. Tunis captivates with its colors, history, and welcoming atmosphere. The city's history includes Phoenician, Roman, Turkish, Arab, and French influences. Art historian Elsa Dispiney, who has lived in Tunis since 2011, describes its evolution from rural exodus to post-revolution changes. The Medina and Ville Nouvelle, with Art Nouveau architecture, have seen abandonment but also revitalization by young Tunisians and foreigners. The École de Tunis, founded in 1949, pioneered neo-realist painting. In the 1960s, Néjib Belkhodja shifted to abstraction and calligraphy. After the 2011 revolution, contemporary artists like those in 'Dream City' engage with the public and urban space. Galleries like Le Violon Bleu, Selma Feriani, and Elmarsa in Sidi Bou Said and La Marsa represent modern and contemporary artists from the Maghreb.