Hassan Hajjaj: La Salle de Gym des Femmes Arabes
October 25, 2017 - November 25th 2017.
This exhibition was first presented at The Third Line Gallery as Hassan Hajjaj’s third solo show in Dubai. Al Riwaq Art Space showcased a selection of works from this series, marking its debut in the Kingdom of Bahrain. In this series, Hajjaj reimagines the image of strong Arab women through the lens of Moroccan pop culture, blending tradition with contemporary aesthetics. As gym culture gains popularity in the Arab world, he offers a playful yet thought-provoking take on women’s recreational spaces, envisioning a traditional gym culture that is both imagined and inspired by reality. Using his signature pop-art style—marked by vibrant colors and dynamic compositions—Hajjaj transports viewers into the energy of the Moroccan streets. The women in these photographs, acquaintances of the artist, are transformed into fictional characters, dressed in athletic wear from global brands, which Hajjaj has cleverly fused with traditional textiles and patterns of his own design.
This series, developed over several years and across multiple locations, was first presented in its entirety in Dubai in 2016. For this exhibition, a curated selection has been brought together for the audience in Bahrain. The title, La Salle de Gym des Femmes Arabes (Gym for Arab Women), reflects Hajjaj’s ongoing exploration of female strength and identity within his vision of Moroccan pop culture. By transforming the gallery into a conceptual women’s gym, he invites viewers to reconsider the gendered norms associated with fitness spaces in the Arab world. Hajjaj, who has frequently visited men’s gyms in Morocco, has never stepped inside a women-only facility. This absence of firsthand experience serves as the catalyst for his conceptualization of such a space, where he maintains the bold aesthetics, textures, and spirited energy of his previous installations.
The women in this series, their faces obscured or masked, are dressed in custom-made athletic uniforms, blending sportswear with traditional fabrics and silhouettes—all meticulously crafted by Hajjaj himself. Posing against dynamic sets with boxing gloves, surfboards, footballs, and gym shoes, they challenge conventional representations of femininity and strength. Some wear jerseys emblazoned with text in both English and Arabic, reinforcing the cultural dialogue at play. By inverting gendered expectations of gym spaces, Hajjaj reclaims these environments, placing female figures of power in places typically associated with hyper-masculinity. Through this vibrant and thought-provoking body of work, he continues to challenge perceptions, celebrating the resilience and spirit of Arab women.
