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A person wearing a white garment with colourful polka dots leans over a motorbike. Their face is partially covered by a white veil against a bright red background.

Photography: Hassan Hajjaj's photographs of the biker girl gangs of Marrakech

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Date
4 February 2014

These vibrant portraits by Hassan Hajjaj are taken from his ongoing Kesh Angels project in which Moroccan ladies dressed in veils and djellabah pose confidently on motorcycles, dripping in gaudy designer labels. Fusing aspects of traditional African studio photography with the glossy glamour of a high-fashion shoot, the images masterfully subvert preconceived notions of Arabic women.

The frame of each image is custom-built from recognisable everyday objects, from LEGO to Arabic lettering or repeat-patterns of cans of Fanta, so that his subjects are literally surrounded by the influence of branding. Fun and independent, Hassan’s biker girls offer us an entirely unique view of how youth, commerce and tradition meet in the streets of Marrakech.

Four people in colourful, patterned clothing and face coverings pose with motorcycles. Behind them stands a large, sand-coloured building with a central dome. The photograph is framed by a border of identical yellow food cans.
Above

Hassan Hajjaj: Kesh Angels

A person in a green and white outfit and helmet sits on a white scooter. They are positioned in front of a bright blue corrugated door and a red wall. The entire scene is framed by a border of blue and silver cans.
Above

Hassan Hajjaj: Kesh Angels

A person sits on a black scooter against a bright blue corrugated wall. They wear a red and white patterned outfit and a face covering, framed by a border of orange cans.
Above

Hassan Hajjaj: Kesh Angels

Three people wearing light blue robes and black face coverings pose with a motorcycle. They stand against a patterned red and yellow backdrop, framed by a border of colourful tiles featuring Arabic script and numbers.
Above

Hassan Hajjaj: Kesh Angels

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About the Author

Lisa Farrell

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