Hassan Hajjaj

Biography

Hassan Hajjaj (b. 1961, Larache, Morocco) is a contemporary artist whose work spans multiple mediums, including photography, fashion, music, video, and design. Drawing from his Moroccan heritage and the multicultural influences of London, where he grew up, Hajjaj creates art that reflects the complexities of identity in a modern, interconnected world. Hajjaj is particularly known for his vibrant and playful portraits, often featuring musicians, artists, and friends. These subjects are captured in dynamic poses, dressed in fashion designed by the artist himself, which merges traditional Moroccan elements with modern streetwear influences.

In his creative process, Hajjaj sets up temporary street studios that capture the vibrancy of urban life. These makeshift studios are adorned with North African textiles and everyday materials—plastic mats, woven rugs, and bright fabrics—creating lively, joyful backdrops for his portraits. The photographs themselves are framed with objects like motorbike tires and everyday consumer goods, such as Coca-Cola cans, black olives tins and toys, that are familiar from local grocery stores. The repetition of these items evokes traditional Moroccan zellige mosaics while simultaneously nodding to pop art’s playful aesthetic.

Hajjaj's work can be seen as a testament to the complexities of post-colonial identity and cultural fluidity, offering a nuanced exploration of the tensions and possibilities inherent in multiculturalism. His art is a direct response to the socio-political and cultural challenges of our time, yet it approaches these issues with tenderness, humor, and humility, steering clear of the bitterness and conflict often associated with identity politics. As Michket Krifa aptly notes, Hajjaj’s work avoids the narrative of victimhood, instead celebrating hybridity and embracing the idea of identity as a dynamic, ever-evolving construct. His ability to transcend the traditional binaries of East and West, traditional and modern, is what makes his approach so resonant today, especially in the face of global challenges.

Hassan Hajjaj currently divides his time between London and Marrakesh. His works are represented in permanent collections worldwide, including those of the Brooklyn Museum (New York, USA), Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art (California, USA), Victoria & Albert Museum (London, UK), Institut des Cultures d’Islam (Paris, France), Guggenheim Abu Dhabi (UAE), Kamel Lazaar Foundation (Tunis, Tunisia), Musée d’Art Contemporain Africain Al Maaden (Marrakesh, Morocco), and the National Gallery of Victoria (Melbourne, Australia). Hajjaj has presented landmark exhibitions at the Maison Européenne de la Photographie (Paris, France), Freies Museum (Berlin, Germany), British Museum (London, UK), Newark Museum (New Jersey, USA), and Leighton House Museum (London, UK).

Works