Photos By Gail

By documenting Morocco’s multi-faceted culture, Hassan Hajjaj (b. 1961) stages an intervention against stereotypical, flattening depictions of his country by the West. He often photographs stylish Moroccan figures, such as this crew of veiled female henna artists, in memorable, architecturally dramatic settings.

His portraits challenge Americans’ and Europeans’ use of his county as a backdrop and erasure of the people who live there The image is framed with tinned products specific to North Africa, alluding to the region’s unique characteristics.

Henna Crew, Detail

Henna Crew (2010) was Photographed in The Brooklyn Museum as Part of the Exhibit Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys