ART: THE ANDY WARHOL OF MARRAKECH

SHOWCASE A divine conversion

PATH OF GLORY

Pops of colour, acres of swag, endless imagination: Hassan

Hajjaj’s The Path is now on show, with some of the most vibrant images we’ve ever seen on the cool walls of Arnolfini E arlier this year, we ran an enthusiastic little piece on an exhibition Arnolfini had scheduled for April. Covid struck, and the show prompty went on the back burner. Now, though, with the gallery reopened, Hassan Hajjaj’s The Path has finally landed – and it’s themes of of portraiture, family and friends, its exploration of culture and identity in the global world could hardly be more pertinent. Hassan’s style is instantly recognisable. Lots of colour, lots of swag, huge imagination, all set in a pulsating cultural mélange. A photographer, designer and filmmaker, Hassan moved from Morocco to journey from Morocco to the UK, and offers a unique and timely consideration of identity in the modern, globalised world. Signs, symbols and people of different cultures collide in the exhibition without hierarchy, or any presumed superiority of a Eurocentric worldview. Spanning both countries, the images reflect the “Signs, symbols and people of different cultures collide without any presumed superiority of a Eurocentric worldview”

Britain at the age of 12; entirely self-taught, his eclectic influences mix the perspective of a natural-born cosmopolitan, who delights at teasing out

UK’s hip-hop and reggae scenes with his North African heritage. the connections and contradictions he’s discovered during his travels.

He works in portraiture, installation, performance, fashion and In exuberant, brightly coloured photos, Arabic models wear furniture design, but he’s best known for his ornate, eye-popping djellabas; but with a knowing wink at Western Pop Art, they’re framed photography. His latest exhibition takes its name from his personal with imported cans of Coca-Cola, Sprite and tomato soup. Little

Pois Blue

“Little wonder that Hassan has been dubbed ‘the Andy Warhol of Marrakech’ by those who can’t resist an easy cultural trope”

wonder that Hassan has been dubbed ‘the Andy Warhol of Marrakech’ by those who can’t resist an easy cultural trope.

The exhibition includes Hassan’s My Roc k Stars series – a film installation and set of new photo portraits, through which he hopes to connect with the myriad rich musical wealth that Bristol has to offer. The subjects of the photos show international musicians and performers from a range of racial and ethnic backgrounds, creating a composite portrait of Britain at its most dynamically diverse.

The portraits focus on figures whose family origins mostly lie abroad – Africa, the Caribbean, the Middle East – conjuring up a vision of a society united, not divided, by difference.

At a time when Britain risks turning inwards in pursuit of a national identity based on an idealised past, Hassan’s portraits make an urgent, timely case in favour of hybridity and multiculturalism. They’ll also make you smile, and brighten your day. The Path shows at Arnolfini until 1 November Free entry (though donations welcome), but book a slot in advance: arnolfini.org.uk