“My work is about presenting my people, it’s about giving a key to understand - to open up to another culture.”
Fashion photography re-envisioned in an ebullient celebration of culture, colour and pattern.
Hassan Hajjaj’s portraits marry Western pop culture with his Moroccan heritage. The brightly coloured, intensely patterned works pair motifs from fashion brands like Louis Vuitton and Nike with traditional North African textiles. His trademark style, inspired by Malian photographers such as Malick Sidibé and Seydou Keïta, is translated across installation, video, performance and furniture design. At the age of twelve in 1973, Hajjaj moved from Morocco to London and quickly became inspired by the city’s subcultures - particularly the reggae scene. In the 80s, he began his career as a photograp...
Bio
Hassan Hajjaj was born in 1961 in Larache, Morocco, and now lives and works in London, UK.
Accolades
His work has won numerous awards over the last decade, including the Sovereign Middle East Prize and the African Art Prize.
Did you know?
Hajjaj began photographing his friends and their traditions after growing tired of Europeans using Morocco as a background for their fashion shoots. He has since photographed celebrities such as Che Lovelace, Meryem Benm’Barek, Cardi B, Billie Eilish, Will Smith and Madonna. Fame aside, for Hassan each and ever subject is a "rockstar."
