Son of a master cabinet maker and born into a family of artisans, is regarded as one of the best cabinet makers in Algiers. He works from his workshops in Kolea, fifty kilometres north west of Algiers, assisted by his two sons, employees and apprentices. He has worked on many hotels and corporate projects in Algeria in a traditional Hispano-Moorish style before teaming up with Illizi Home to turn his hand at manufacturing contemporary furniture. Since working with Illizi his products have been finalists in the V&A classic design awards. In order to cope with the popularity of the Illizi ranges he is currently building a modern workshop in Douaouda. Menoeuere is president of “Amicale des Artisans Algériens”, an association instigated by the project in order to provide ongoing support and lobbying for artisans in Algeria.
Saâd is a master ceramacist, he studied at at l’Ecole Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Algiers and was first in his year. Before setting up his workshop in Palm Beach, Algiers, Saâd was an art teacher at a college in Algiers. His speciality is “Berber” hand painted ceramics. Although the markets for these products have diminished, he still continues this traditional art alongside manufacturing products for Illizi home, which are free from decoration and with a greater emphasis on structure and shape. Saâd is secretary general of “Amicale des Artisans Algériens” and has recently formed an association for the artisan ceramists in the region of Algiers, of which he is the president.
Bougrine began her secondary and higher education in art before establishing her ceramics workshop in a small village called Draria, outside Algiers. She practices three traditional styles; “Berber”, “Hispano-Moorish” and “Arabesque” alongside the more modern ranges she now manufactures for Illizi Home. Nadjet is treasurer of the association “Amicale des Artisans Algériens”.
Samia Khali learnt the art of basket weaving from her parents and sisters. This is a traditional craft passed down from generation to generation using palm leaves and fibres to produce items for the home. Co-op Khali is a family based co-operative in Temacine in the South of Algeria. Illizi Home has helped the Khali family to refurbish and equip new premises as well as implementing an apprenticeship program which is now training around 50 women in the art of basket weaving. In addition, a dye facility has been installed and traditional dyeing techinques re-established. Samia was awarded second prize in the National best Artisan competition in 2002.
Meriem Azizaou taught in several schools before launching co-op Ennassr in El Golea, an oasis town in the Sahara, 850 km south of Algiers. The co-operative employs 50 women on a permanent basis as well as apprentices. Originally producing predominantly flat woven rugs, they are now producing a range of hand tufted piled carpets for Illizi Home. llizi has installed a dyeing facility which is now run by Meriem’s daughter Hadier. Previously, the co-op were producing in mainly machine dyed wool but with the help of Illizi are now re-using traditional techniques of hand dyeing with vegetable dyes which result in a far deeper and richer color palette. Meriem Azizaou is president of the co-operative of weavers “Ennasr” in El Goléa.
Fatima Arboui has been an artisan and vocational trainer in the embroidery craft for 20 years. She left her job to create a combined training and production facility which she heads in Touggourt, 600 km south east of Algiers and employs over 70 permanent workers and trains 50 young women. She is also president of the co-operative “Assala” which manages 528 craftswomen working from home.
