Moka partners with the Salon de Mai to celebrate Mauritian identity

Published on June 5, 2024

For the third consecutive year, Moka Smart City is partnering with the Salon de Mai, a high point of the Mauritian art calendar. This free exhibition is opened to the curious at heart, art lovers and connoisseurs alike from 1 to 15 June 2024, Monday to Saturday.

“This project aligns with Moka’s strategy to support the development of existing cultural projects in the area,” says Moka Smart City’s Arts and Culture Manager, Mathieu Pigeot. As a member of the artwork selection committee, he worked closely with the organising team to make this 41^st edition a success.

About the Salon de Mai

This event brings together the most influential Mauritian artists, emerging talent, MGI’s art teachers and students excelling in their practice. Over a hundred works from all disciplines will be exhibited.

“It is amazing how this exhibition, which began in a small room over 40 years ago, has evolved: I witnessed its early days as a student and had the privilege of seeing my work exhibited at the Salon, a rare feat back then as it was reserved for the big names in Mauritian art. Since then, we have opened up to emerging talent and students to reflect the diversity of Mauritian art,” says the Director of the School of Fine Arts, Nalini Gopaul.

This year, paintings, sculptures, videos, photographs, performances, experimental installations and multimedia pieces will be on display to celebrate Mauritian identity.

“Ekspresyon Morisien”: A self-explanatory theme

“The theme encourages participants to revisit expressions that, unfortunately, are no longer part of our daily lives. While today’s more polished Creole has cast these colourful words into oblivion, we hope the artists’ interpretations will revive them,” says Nalini Gopaul. This proud tribute aims to perpetuate the Mauritian cultural heritage and “explore the important issue of our shared identity,” adds Mathieu Pigeot.

The Director of the School of Fine Arts is grateful to the Moka Smart City team for their support and to ENL for their partnership. Reiterating her confidence in this enduring collaboration, she says, “This year, I invite the public and the press to take an active role. Give a second life to the expressions you will discover as they are an integral part of Mauritian heritage.”