Unobvious Interpretation of Feelings Through Colours: A Conversation with ILHAM BOUDREZ

Based in North-West England, Ilham Boudrez, a Moroccan artist, painter, and special effect artist, discusses the Power of Art in her work and life. In this conversation, she honestly delves into her roots to convey a message of female strength.

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Let’s start from the beginning. Can you share your earliest memory of art?

Oh, absolutely. I remember being a child and constantly drawing. One of my sisters, who worked in a nursery, always asked me to draw for her — Disney characters, including Minnie Mouse. She would stick them to boxes and children’s books, and she was so impressed. That’s when I realised I had a talent. But art was also my escape. Growing up, we didn’t have proper art supplies, so I made do with whatever I could find. I would cut up cardboard boxes that came with drinking glasses and turn them into little canvases. I would use pastels to draw still-life scenes, vases, and anything I could imagine. I hung them all around the house, transforming it into my own gallery. But not everyone appreciated it. My sister used to take them down, saying they were just rubbish! That really broke my heart, but I would put them back up again. I couldn’t stop creating.

You mentioned growing up in an unsupportive environment regarding art. How did that shape your journey?

It undoubtedly made things more challenging. My family regarded education as the sole genuine path — academic achievement was paramount. Art? That was merely a pastime. They never supported me, never bought supplies, and never considered lessons. It was simply something I pursued on my own.

I remember that once when my sister was at university, she brought a friend home. This friend saw my drawings and remarked, “She has a lot of talent — she should join a club or take lessons.” However, nothing ever came of it. It was always just me, scavenging for scraps of material to draw on, creating something from nothing.

At what point did art become more than just a childhood passion?

Life took me in many directions before I could fully dedicate myself to art. My father passed away when I was young, and my mother was left raising six kids alone. We struggled financially, so I had to leave school at around 15 or 16. My sisters had moved to another city, so I followed them, trying to find work.

Eventually, I met my husband, got married, and moved to England. But for a long time, art disappeared from my life. I was focused on survival, settling in a new country, and working. I wanted to return to painting, so I bought supplies when I first arrived — but life got in the way again. I was busy working and paying a mortgage. It wasn’t until years later, around 2017, that I really picked up a brush again.

Would you say that your art career really began in England?

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