Portraits in Motion

La Salle de Gym des Femmes Arab (The Arab Women’s Gym), on display in the Aga Khan Park, is a photographic series by Moroccan-British artist, designer, filmmaker, and photographer, Hassan Hajjaj. In this series, Hajjaj places women at the centre of the often male-dominated world of sports. Featuring women actively participating in sports like soccer, boxing, and surfing, Hajjaj’s stunning images challenge stereotypes and invite viewers to reconsider their assumptions. His work celebrates the multi-layered complexity of Muslim identity and emphasizes our shared humanity.

Threads of Identity

Dressed in bold, fashion-forward outfits, designer-branded niqabs (a veil worn by some Muslim women that covers the face but leaves the eyes visible), and statement footwear, these women challenge expectations while exuding confidence, individuality, and joy. Their energy and playfulness are echoed in the vibrant borders, composed of colourful North African–inspired mosaic patterns made from everyday canned goods. Blending pop art aesthetics with cultural heritage, the borders offer a subtle nod to Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans, celebrating the beauty found in the ordinary.