Habib Hajallie: Penned into History

10 Feb-21 Apr 2024

Overview

Discover thought-provoking works in Habib Hajallie’s groundbreaking exhibition challenging colonial narratives and redefining British portraiture.

Habib Hajallie’s ballpoint pen drawings focus on the lack of diversity in British portraiture. He combines precise mark-making with collaged elements from texts and maps. His works challenge colonial ideologies and the divisive histories of West Africa.

One of the highlights of the exhibition will be The Large Collectors. This new drawing was created during Hajallie’s residency at the Gallery as part of UAL’s Decolonising Art Institute’s 20/20 program. It is a monumental self-portrait showing Hajallie as three of the men who started our collections – Walter Hussey, Charles Kearley, and Colin St John Wilson. Putting himself in their shoes, Hajallie looks to disrupt the image of the typical modern British art collector.