Moroccan Patterns on Brass with Master Mokhtar El Fasiki

Live from Fes, Morocco

We've learnt how to draw Moroccan geometric patterns on paper. But, how do you engrave these patterns on brass?

On Sunday April 24th, at 11AM EST, we invite you for a special session to meet Master Mokhtar El Fasiki, Head of the Fes Brass Guild.

During this session, Hamza El Fasiki, his son and apprentice will facilitate and introduce his father to the VAWAA community. We will learn about the Master's story, watch him demonstrate the techniques of tracing patterns on brass sheets, free-hand engraving and more.

This will be a lively interactive session and a window into the living masters of Moroccan crafts.

Master Mokhtar El Fasiki (b. 1951) apprenticed starting from the age of 5 under his maternal family and many other masters in Fes at the brass smith guild. He became a master at the age of 17 in 1968 when he established his family business Dar Attamania (House of Eight) which used to produce 13 brass and silver items decorated with floral and geometric ornaments for Moroccans to make and serve tea. He was appointed by the Fes brass artisans community to be the Head of the Guild in 1994 and since then he has been acting as the main representative of the brass engraving and brass engravers to the Moroccan palaces, around Morocco and abroad.

If you are not in EST time zone, be sure to convert the time.

How to join

We'll be hosting this VAWAA Online on Zoom. We'll send link and details to join via email 1 day and again 1 hour before it begins.

About Hamza

Hamza is a geometer, brass-smith, bookbinder, an Andalusian Oud musician, and founder of a crafts studio dedicated to Moroccan arts and crafts in Fes. He comes from a multigenerational family of artisans and passing on crafts knowledge is a family culture. He apprenticed under his father and traveled around 15 countries crafting and learning from masters. Now his mission is to continue this legacy and help people around the world connect with old Moroccan crafts. His traditional art revolves around the art of Compass & Ruler. With those two instruments, he draws and traces Moorish and Islamic geometric patterns, etches and engraves them on brass and copper trays and embosses them on leather book covers.

Visit his artist page to learn more about his in-person VAWAA.

Reviews

"This was the perfect class for someone who knows the basics and wants to move on to more advanced patterns. I’ve used books and YouTube videos to learn Moroccan Geometry, but Hamza provides the clearest instructions, plus a little history, details about the traditions of the craft, and sometimes beautiful Oud music." - Beth

"Hamza is always kind and patient with anyone who is struggling. His knowledge is complete, not just in the process he is teaching but also in the culture and history of Morocco, which makes the class so rewarding beyond just learning a new skill." - Laurel

"I love Hamza’s teaching of Moroccan geometries. His process is logical and helps one build on the knowledge of the session on challenge exercises. Teaching such complexity over a zoom call is a talent of its own." - Jyotika

"The two hours with a fantastic teacher flew by! I'd recommend it if you get the chance!" - Ezra

"Being able to participate in the Moroccan Geometric Patterns workshop with Hamza was educational and inspiring. Not only was his teaching wonderful but getting to hear him play the oud was a treat every week. My classmates were also inspiring and I hope to take more classes with Hamza in the future... perhaps one day in Morocco." - Tania

"Excellent, Excellent, Excellent! Hamza is a wonderful- and very patient -teacher, who guided students to learn and successfully create designs we thought impossible to master." - Nicole

"Incredible! So great to start to learn how to construct Moroccan geometry designs and how the craft integrates with the country's history and language." - Karen

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