Hamid Kachmar was born in 1969 in Tadighoust, Southeast Morocco. With a BA from Meknes University and MFA at Howard University. For the past twenty-five years Hamid's work has been shown in exhibitions in Morocco, France, Spain, Canada, and United States. His artworks manifest an originality characterized by his use of The Tifinagh script and Amazigh “Berber” motifs in written, painted, carved, and woven materials. The common thread that connects most of Hamid’s work is intricacy and texture. He evokes the interconnectedness, the interrelations, and the interdependency of the world we live in. Identity, memory and daily encounters are his major themes. Earlier in Morocco, late 90's Kachmar presented his work permanently at Othello Art Space in Essaouira. His works were featured internationally at “Salon International de l’Art Contemporain” (Antibes Nice, France), Uruena Gallery (Leon, Spain) and was invited to participate in the International Mural Art Festival at (Beaufort, France) 1998. Upon relocating DC in 2000, Kachmar presented lectures at international conferences and panel discussions around identity and expressive cultures. Most recently at The Textile Museum of Canada in Toronto, through the Smithsonian Institution in conjunction with “Body as Evidence” exhibit, at the lecture hall of the African Art Museum, the African American Research Library/Cultural Center, Fort Lauderdale, George Washington’s Elliott school of international affairs, Georgetown University and Boston University'. His work was recently on display at the Art Academy Museum of Easton, Maryland. Recent solo shows include “Magic Squares” at the Textile Museum of Canada, Toronto, “Dislocation/Relocation/Diaspora: The Art of Hamid Kachmar” at Stone Center Gallery and Museum, North Carolina University at Chapel Hill, “Confluence” at International Visions Gallery, DC, “Intricacies of Identities” at Parish Gallery, DC “Essence and Substance” at New Doors Gallery, Baltimore. Past shows include three solo shows at Parish gallery “Transculturality in Wool, Wood and Words,” “Intricacies of Identities,” and “Embodiments.” Group exhibits include work at Visual Rhymes, International Visions Gallery, DC, Pepco Art Gallery, DC, University of New England, Maine, Winston–Salem State University North Carolina, American University, DC, and “Dialogue des Cultures”, United Nations, New York

Kachmar is a native of the Berber Federation called "Ait Yafelman", groups of nomadic tribes living in the fascinating oasis of Tafilalet in Southeast Morocco.

The artist grew up in a large family whose mother was a Berber weaver and whose father was a farmer and collector of carpets, copper and forged iron crafts.

After finishing his university studies in vegetal and environmental biology, he took up residence in the famous city of Essaouira (Mogador) a crucible of ethnic tolerance (home to Arabs, Berbers and Jews) and a source of inspiration for many artists, sculptors, musicians, actors and writers.

Kachmar uses a variety of media such as oil, acrylic, vegetal pigments, sand and other natural materials.

His paintings manifest an originality characterized by specific structures and colors influenced by the Moroccan desert and mountains. The themes of his work reflect faithfully his Afro-Berber cultural roots.

Due to many exhibitions in France, Spain and Italy, his paintings are well known throughout the Mediterranean countries. In 2000 Kachmar headed to the USA in order to explore new horizons and take advantage of American art trends.

Exhibitions

• 1989 - Group shows in Fez University - Morocco
• 1990 - Exhibit - French Cultural Center - Meknes, Morocco
• 1991 - Exhibit - French Embassy in Rabat, Morocco
• 1992 - Hassan Palace, Rabat
• 1994 - Kalila Wadimna Gallery, Rabat
• 1995 - Group shows in Tillal Gallery, Essaouira, Morocc
• 1996 - Participated in a show of international mural art, Maine, France
• 1997 - African Art exhibit, Leon, Spain
• 1998 - International Salon of Contemporary Art, Nice, France
• 1999 - Exhibit Othello Art Space, Essaouira, Morocco
• 2000 - Permanent exhibit Othello Gallery, Essaouira, Morocco