Bettina Caro’s paintings bring a burst of North African heat and colour to the cold and grey of a north London winter.
Caro grew up in the Moroccan city of Tangiers and works inspired by her memories of childhood are currently on show at the London Jewish Cultural Centre.
Using energetic brushwork and a bright palette, with many works embellished with gold leaf to add sparkle to the paintings, Caro’s painting give a very positive image of Moroccan Jewish life.
"I have always wanted to paint the beauty of life," the artist writes. "So much of Jewish art of the 20th century reflects suffering and I wanted to reflect that the Jews of Morocco were able to live positive and happy lives."
A number of the works show the Jewish areas of cities, towns and villages which became known as the Mellah, named after the district in Fez where Jews were confined for their own protection by the Sultan following a massacre in 1438.
Caro is particularly fascinated by the gateways into the area, which she captures in striking blues, purples and turquoise. ‘Blue is a popular in Morocco as it is believed to ward off the evil eye,’ she explains.
She has also painted the synagogue she attended as a child, a rich red interior dominated by hanging oil lamps.
A selection of still-life paintings focus on precious family heirlooms that the artist carefully brought to London when she came to live in the UK in 1981, having left Morocco for Spain in 1973. This includes her tea set which she still uses today to serve mint tea.
The ritual that most interests her is the ‘Traje de Berberisca’, the henna ceremony held before a wedding. The bride’s traditional costume, which is often hundreds of years old, receives particular attention, as does the headdress, known as the jemaar, which forms part of a series of paintings of ritual objects painted in gold that stand out against a bold purple background.
Bettina Caro – Sephardi Celebration continues at the LJCC until 18th December. For opening times go to www.ljcc.org.uk
