Hassan Hajjaj
Photographer, designer and filmmaker Hassan Hajjaj has strong ties to both Morocco and the UK. Born in the fishing town of Larache, Morocco in 1961 Hassan moved to London aged 12. Growing up immersed in London's club culture as it was emerging and taking shape during his teen years heavily influenced Hajjaj's practice and approach to creativity.
Reconnecting with his birthplace after a visit in the early 90s, Hassan saw the surroundings of his childhood through new eyes. Despite efforts to break down the class hierarchies and ambient racism of the time, stereotypes around Moroccan life still existed even amongst Hassan’s London peers, much to his dismay. A desire to subvert the conventional views of Morocco drove the artist to create works that reflect the country’s cultural mélange, encompassing both the ordinary and the vibrant.
Best known for his photography, Hassan’s practice focuses mainly on maximalist portraits of various characters from international musicians to unique personas which he casts in his photoshoots. Subjects are ornately framed and accessorized with colorful everyday items readily available from local markets. The artist seizes control by disorganizing expectations, merging Moroccan culture with his distinct hip-hop flair. Hajjaj refers to the frequent comparisons of his work to that of Andy Warhol in his merchandize ‘Andy Wahloo’, a play on words that translates in Arabic to “I have nothing”.
Hajjaj’s selected solo shows include Legs Series, 193 Gallery, Paris, France (2025); People of My Time, Hannah Traore Gallery, New York, US (2025); 1444, SCAD Museum of Art, Savannah, Georgia, USA (2023); The Path, Arnolfini, London, UK (2020), Maison Européenne de la Photographie, Paris, France (2019); Hassan Hajjaj: The Path, New Art Exchange, Nottingham, UK (2019); La Salle de Gym des Femmes Arabes, Al Riwaq Art Space, Adliya, Bahrain (2017); La Caravane, Somerset House, London, UK (2017); La Salle de Gym des Femmes Arabes, The Third Line, Dubai, UAE (2016); Hassan Hajjaj, My Rock Stars Experimental, Vol.1, Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus, USA (2015); Kesh Angels, Taymour Grahne Gallery, New York, USA (2014); My Rock Stars: Volume 2, Gusford Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, USA (2014); My Rock Stars: Volume 1, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, CA, USA (2014, travelled from The Third Line, Dubai, and Virginia Commonwealth University, USA); Kesh Angels, Rose Issa Projects, London (2010); Fashion in Motion, Victoria & Albert Museum, London (2005).
Hajjaj’s work has been exhibited internationally in many exhibitions including Chromotherapia, Villa Medici, Rome, Italy (2025); A World in Common: Contemporary African Photography, C/O Berlin, Berlin, Germany (2025); The Culture: Hip-Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century, Saint Louis Art Museum, USA (2023); Material Insanity, Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden (MACAAL), Marrakesh, Morocco (2019); the African Metropolis: An Imaginary City, Maxxi National Museum, Rome, Italy (2018); National Gallery of Victoria Triennial, Melbourne, Australia (2017); Summer Exhibition, Royal Academy of Arts, London, UK (2017); Treasures of Islam in Africa. From Timbuktu to Zanzibar, Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris, France (2017); Islamic Art Now: Contemporary Art of the Middle East, LACMA, Los Angeles, USA (2015); Light from the Middle East, Victoria & Albert Museum, London (2013); Africa Remix, Hayward Gallery, London (2005) and Contemporary African Visual Arts, British Museum, London (2005).
Hassan Hajjaj’s works have been acquired by the Guggenheim, Abu Dhabi; MAXXI National Museum, Rome; Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden (MACAAL), Marrakesh; Los Angeles County Museum of Art; Brooklyn Museum, New York; Victoria and Albert Museum, London; and the British Museum, London.
The artist lives and works between London and Marrakech.
Hot Spots
A Collaboration Between Tabari Artspace and The Third Line9 Jan - 10 Mar 2025Hot Spots is the first collaborative exhibition between Tabari Artspace and The Third Line at Sotheby’s, Dubai. This exhibition is part of Sotheby’s ongoing collaboration with regional galleries and brings...Read morePerpetual Inventory, Volume 1: An Exercise in Looking
Curated by Dr. Omar Kholeif19 Dec 2022 - 29 Jan 2023Perpetual Inventory and Dr. O’s Pop Shop at The Third Line, Dubai this December. The Third Line presents Perpetual Inventory, Volume 1 and Dr. O’s Pop Shop: The Live Edition,...Read moreLA SALLE DE GYM DES FEMMES ARABES
Hassan Hajjaj14 Mar - 16 Apr 2016The Third Line is pleased to present Hassan Hajjaj’s third solo show in Dubai, La Salle de Gym des Femmes Arabes . The title, which translates into Gym for Arab...Read more
Moroccan photographer Hassan Hajjaj captures the culture of AlUla
Adam Grundey, Arab News , May 3, 2024Hassan Hajjaj showcases transformative power of photography at London’s Tate Modern
Mariah Sebbani, Arab News, July 26, 2023New documentary ‘Brothahood’ reveals the inner side of famed artist Hassan Hajjaj
Alison Tay, Esquire Middle East, June 14, 2023Sole DXB Returns for its 10th Anniversary Edition Hosted By Moroccan Photographer Hassan Hajjaj
Naheed Ifteqar, Vogue, October 10, 2022British-Moroccan artist Hassan Hajjaj has kept busy in the pandemic with a new exhibition, film and tea brand
Layla Maghribi, The National News, May 22, 2022The extraordinary world of artist Hassan Hajjaj
Aimee Farrell, Financial Times, February 4, 2022Nora Fatehi flaunts Moroccan streetwear, mix of pop culture in bomb photoshoot
Zarafshan Shiraz, Hindustan Times, June 9, 2021British-Moroccan artist Hassan Hajjaj has kept busy in the pandemic with a new exhibition, film and tea brand
Layla Maghribi, The National, May 2, 2021Morocco’s Hassan Hajjaj Makes Mark on Post-Pandemic Art Scene
Dina Toum-Benchekroun, Morocco World News, May 1, 2021How I Got Started
Canvas Magazine, May 1, 2021What's Famed Photographer Hassan Hajjaj Up To While In Lockdown?
Ayesha S. Shehmir, Harper's Bazaar Arabia, June 16, 2020Hassan Hajjaj Welcomes the World into His Playful Pop Kingdom Created in Morocco
Myrna Ayad, Vogue Arabia, March 30, 2020Hassan Hajjaj Turns Moroccan Clichés Into London Cool
Siddhartha Mitter, The New York Times, October 9, 2019Everything to Know About the Hassan Hajjaj Paris Retrospective
Caterina Minthe, Vogue Arabia, September 9, 2019Another Vogue
Ekow Eshun and Chiara Bardelli Nonino, Vogue Italia, August 23, 2019Hassan Hajjaj's dynamic, colourful photography celebrates everyday people and challenges stereotypes around Muslim women
Tora Baker, Creative Boom, May 13, 2019Hassan Hajjaj Invites Us Into His Marrakesh Home
Khaoula Ghanem, Vogue Arabia, July 15, 2017Meet Hassan Hajjaj, the ‘Andy Warhol of Marrakech’
Jade Jackman & Ashleigh Kane, Dazed, January 30, 2017Stylin' by Hassan Hajjaj Showcases at Colette Paris
Nada Bokhowa, Harper's Bazaar Art, July 24, 2016Karima: A Day In The Life Of A Henna Girl – Interview with Hassan Hajjaj
Brittney & Marina Iordan, Art Radar, July 15, 2015’Kesh Angels
Jessie Wender, The New Yorker, January 24, 2014
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