Hatem El Mekki
Hatem El Mekki was a prominent Tunisian painter. He was born in Batavia, Dutch East Indies, and died in Carthage in 2003.
From 1957, his artwork appeared on a large number of postage stamps of Tunisia. El Mekki drew the head of the coin used in Tunisia from 1988 to 1990.
Education
El-Mekki arrived in Tunis in 1924 and studied at the Lycée Carnot de Tunis. During his time there, he developed a distinctive Chinese aquarelle technique, despite being unaware at the time of his partial Chinese heritage.
Career
In 1947, El-Mekki received the First Poster Prize in Paris. During his time in Paris, El-Mekki associated with prominent art and literary figures, including Albert Camus, philosopher Gaston Bachelard, Gertrude Stein, Daniel-Rops, and others. He also illustrated works by international authors from the United States, Australia, France, Scotland, and Germany.