Baya (artist)

Baya Mahieddine or Fatima Haddad (born in Bordj El Kiffan on 1931; died 1998) was an untrained Algerian artist who had her first exposition at 16. In France she worked with Pablo Picasso and gained notice from André Breton. Her work is noted for depicting flowers, butterflies, birds, and tales of childhood. She quit doing her art during the Algerian War, but returned after it and continued on until her death. Her work appeared on Algerian postage stamps and elsewhere. Her work has been called both "Surrealist" and "Naive", though not without debate. The role of the French woman "Marguerite", who introduced her to many French artists, has also been debated as to what influence she had. As has Baya's work with Picasso. Allegedly Picasso inspired Baya's return to Algeria and her period away from art also coincides with her becoming a wife and having six children. In addition to painting she did pottery.