Habib Hajallie, a Kent-based artist of Sierra Leonean and Lebanese heritage, presents a new solo exhibition titled "Black & Blue" at Larkin Durey in London. The show features meticulous ballpoint pen drawings on found fragments of philosophical and historical texts, exploring themes of memory, connection, and loss. For this series, Hajallie switched from black to blue ink as he grapples with the stillbirth of his daughter and the loss of his sister four years ago. Works include self-portraits and depictions of Black cultural figures, conveying emotions such as despair, confusion, numbness, and care.
The exhibition matters because it demonstrates how personal trauma can be transformed into profound artistic expression, using drawing as a space for healing and catharsis. By incorporating antique texts on morality, purpose, and transcendence, Hajallie connects his individual pain to broader philosophical questions about finding meaning. The show also highlights the artist's technical mastery of ballpoint pen, a humble medium, to create deeply emotional and layered works. "Black & Blue" runs through May 22 in London.