Momentum

Momentum brings together the fifteen finalists of the sixth Prix Mustaqbal at Artorium, the art space of Fondation TGCC in Casablanca, from 17 September to 31 October 2026. The organisers present them as fifteen artists of the young Moroccan contemporary scene. Their works cover five disciplines: painting, drawing, photography, installation and sound. Photographs from the opening show a row of paintings and a sculpture shaped like a table-football table.

Fondation TGCC launched the Prix Mustaqbal in 2021 as an annual competition for young contemporary art. Entry is open to trained and self-taught artists aged 18 to 35, Moroccan or foreign residents of Morocco. A jury of artists, art professionals and critics chooses the finalists, who then show together at Artorium. The competition sets no theme, so candidates may submit an existing project or one still in progress.

The 2026 edition takes its title from the word momentum. The foundation's president, Meryem Bouzoubaa, reads it both as the push that starts a body moving and as the brief moment when something shifts or comes to light. The three prizes were announced at the opening. Bahia Ourahou took first prize, Houssam El Belrhiti second and Aliocha Tazi third.

Each laureate receives a cash award. The first laureate also gains a residency at Jardin Rouge, with the support of Fondation Montresso, and two duo shows with the winner of the Prix ellipse. These are planned for Paris in spring 2027 and for Artorium in November 2027. The partnership with the Prix ellipse is new this edition; that travelling prize had previously been held in Côte d'Ivoire, Togo, Benin, Senegal and Ghana. The finalists are Naoual Bazzi, Leila Bencharnia, Mohamed Boumhaoud, Ali Ed-Dahbi, Houssam El Belrhiti, Karima El Karmoudi, Mohamed Khamaily and Oualid Lazrak. They are joined by Basma Mansour, Mohamed Mouhieddine, Sfiya, Bahia Ourahou, Amine Reda, Youssef Es-Sousy and Aliocha Tazi.