Figurative painting dominates El Makhloufi’s aesthetic approach. An expressionist and symbolist, he often uses plain colours and airy brushwork to give his paintings an enigmatic, dream-like quality. Although rooted in Moroccan culture, El Makhloufi’s works are infused with German sociocultural influences. His work, conceived in permanent communication between cultures, creates a bridge between the Neue Leipziger Schule and the philosophical tradition of Sufism, allowing Moroccan and German cultures to dialogue.

El Makhloufi studied at the School of Visual Arts of Leipzig, a city well known for its figurative school, the Neue Leipziger Schule. El Makhloufi’s works have been featured in solo and group exhibitions worldwide, in Frankfurt, Casablanca, London, Dakar and Beirut. He is the 2014 recipient of the Cité des Arts award, Paris. His works are held, among others, by institutions such as Musée d’Art Contemporain Africain Al Maaden (MACAAL), Morocco; The Banque Populaire, Morocco and The BAT Campus Galerie Collection, Germany.