Hassan Hajjaj: ‘Kesh Angels
fluoro spoke to Moroccan born artist Hassan Hajjaj about the vibrant culture of Morocco and his first exhibition in New York.
Hajjaj left Morocco for London at an early age. Heavily influenced by the hip-hop, reggae, and club scenes of London as well as by his North African heritage, Hajjaj is a self-taught and versatile artist. His work includes portraiture, installation, performance, fashion and interior design. Hajjaj’s streetwear label, R.A.P. – which he launched in 1984 – paved his journey into art-based ventures. His background in fashion continues to influence the art he creates today.
Spending six months of the year in Morocco, Hajjaj aims to maintain a connection with his heritage. The African country continues to be an ongoing source of inspiration for Hajjaj, particularly its street culture. Hajjaj feels that it is the location of Morocco between African, Arab, and European cultures is what makes it so unique and rich in culture. He also expresses that Moroccans “have a strong sense of tradition and we are a very colourful nation.”
Hajjaj’s first exhibition in New York, titled ‘Kesh Angels, presents a unique take on the vibrant street culture of Morocco and pays tribute to the biker culture of the young women of Marrakesh. The exhibition is comprised of a series of photographs, limited edition objects, an installation, and a video.
Fascinated by the “strength and aim to show their independence as normal”, Hajjaj highlights that if these photos were taken in Paris or Rome he may not be asked what is so intriguing about the women’s biker culture.
Hajjaj’s work combines the personal with the political. The individuality of his subjects are framed by consumer goods and adorned with the trappings of culture and branding. The handcrafted inlaid wood frames are made up of branded objects like soda cans and Moroccan packaging, mixing old and new, both responding to and completing the works they surround.
“I wanted to use the repetition of labels in a slightly humorous context, often directly relating to something happening in the photograph,” Hajjaj says, “but I also wanted to create a repeated pattern in the frame to evoke the mosaics of Morocco in a modern context.”
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Hajjaj is current working on finishing his first documentary along with some completely new projects. A series of group shows will see him display work in in Houston, USA; Texas, USA; Belgium; Marrakesh, Morocco and the United Kingdom.
Hassan Hajjaj: ‘Kesh Angels’ is on display at Taymour Grahne Gallery, New York until Sunday 2 March 2014.
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