Conscious of the stereotypical portrayals of Middle Eastern women, Moroccan-born, UK-based artist Hassan Hajjaj does away with the dichotomy of submissive wife and exotic temptress. Hajjaj recently presented a series of Pop Art-influenced photographs, installations and sculptures for his current solo show at NYC’s Taymour Grahne Gallery, “‘Kesh Angels.” While men are present in the smaller portraits, the most visually-intense photographs in the show focus on the energetic female bikers from Marrakesh.
Clad in bright fabrics and posing against equally fluorescent backgrounds, the ladies in Hajjaj’s photos embody a youthful, irreverent attitude. The electric feel of the photographs reverberates in Hajjaj’s install, in which the photos are arranged geometrically, interacting with the painted walls, colorful furniture and other objects, like the canned goods lining the frames of some of the works. The exhibition will be on view through March 7. Take a look at some photos from the January 28 opening below.
Photos by Scott Rudd
Hassan Hajjaj with Renee Cox
