Hassan Hajjaj and the work power of My Rockstars
Published on 08/22/2026 at 11:24 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Hassan Hajjaj has built a distinct visual universe where patterned frames, saturated colors and portraits of self-styled 'rock stars' collide. His ongoing series My Rockstars and related projects now span outdoor installations, music-linked exhibitions and collection holdings in leading institutions.
The long run of My Rockstars
One anchor of this universe is Hassan Hajjaj: La Salle de Gym des Femmes Arabes (The Arab Women’s Gym), a photographic series installed in Aga Khan Park in Toronto from September 13, 2025 through September 7, 2026, as the Aga Khan Museum outlines in its exhibition information.
The project stages Arab women in a stylized gym environment, extending Hajjaj’s blend of fashion styling, graphic pattern and posed portraiture into a public outdoor setting that connects museum visitors with the park landscape.
Series, venues and formats
The work group My Rockstars itself has evolved across different venues, from dedicated exhibitions such as Venice, 1447 at 193 Gallery in Venice in 2026 to forthcoming presentations pairing his portraits with music, like the planned show My Rock Stars with Acid Arab at the Musée de la musique in Paris.
According to the Musée de la musique program, My Rock Stars will trace Hajjaj’s artistic journey through iconic musician portraits, accompanied by an original soundtrack by the collective Acid Arab, underlining how his photography often intersects with sound and performance culture.
All news and background on Hassan Hajjaj
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The work core and visual language
Hajjaj’s practice combines photography, fashion, furniture and installation, often framing portraits with branded packaging motifs and textiles that reference Moroccan markets, global consumer culture and street-style signage. Sitters range from musicians and fashion figures to local acquaintances posed as charismatic protagonists.
Where the artist stands now
Overall, Hassan Hajjaj continues to expand his My Rockstars and related series across institutional commissions, outdoor installations and music-linked exhibitions, reinforcing his position between North African visual traditions, London club culture and the contemporary photography canon.
Key facts on Hassan Hajjaj
- Artist: Hassan Hajjaj
- Medium / Genre: Photography and installation (portrait-based, pattern-rich)
- Born: 1961, Larache, Morocco
- Place(s) of practice: Studio practice between London and Marrakech
- Active since: Late 1980s, with broader international visibility from the 2000s
- Key work groups: My Rockstars, Kesh Angels, La Salle de Gym des Femmes Arabes, Legs
- Current/last exhibition: Hassan Hajjaj: La Salle de Gym des Femmes Arabes (The Arab Women’s Gym), Aga Khan Park, Toronto, September 13, 2025 - September 7, 2026
- Major collections: Victoria and Albert Museum (London), Brooklyn Museum (New York), Los Angeles County Museum of Art (Los Angeles), Studio Museum in Harlem (New York)
- Awards: Doha Film Institute Artist Award (for film work, year as stated by the foundation), other honors noted in institutional biographies
- Next date: currently no announced date in the 30-day window
Frequently asked questions about Hassan Hajjaj
Where can I see work from Hassan Hajjaj’s My Rockstars series?
Works from the broader My Rockstars complex feature in projects such as Venice, 1447 at 193 Gallery in Venice in 2026 and in the planned exhibition My Rock Stars at the Musée de la musique in Paris.
What is special about La Salle de Gym des Femmes Arabes (The Arab Women’s Gym)?
This outdoor photographic installation at Aga Khan Park in Toronto, running from September 13, 2025 to September 7, 2026, stages Arab women as protagonists in a stylized gym, extending Hajjaj’s portrait language into public space.
Which public collections hold works by Hassan Hajjaj?
Public information and collection records show that institutions such as the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Brooklyn Museum, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Studio Museum in Harlem hold works by Hajjaj.
This article was produced with a.i. support and editorially reviewed. All statements without guarantee; auction results, exhibition dates and awards may change at short notice.
