Mary Seacole Limited Edition Print by Habib Hajallie

Sold in conjunction with the exhibition ‘Habib Hajallie: Penned into History’ which is on display at Pallant House Gallery from February 10 2024 until 21 April 2024.

Habib Hajallie (b.1995) is an elected member of The Royal Society of British Artists and the winner of The UK New Artist of The Year Award 2022. He looks to empower often marginalised minorities through the exploration of identity within his ballpoint pen portraiture. Confronting socio-political issues within his drawings acts as a catalyst for discourse regarding the perception of various demographics as being of lesser humanistic value. Specifically, with the disenfranchised often being undermined by mainstream media; somewhat paradoxically reflecting an archaic hierarchy of status, similar to colonial ideologies. Though born in Southeast London, Hajallie’s works are informed by his Sierra Leonean and Lebanese heritage.

“This ballpoint pen portrait pays homage to Mary Seacole. Known as one of the greatest Black Britons in history; I believe her contributions towards Britain in the 19th century, particularly during the Crimean war, show a British pioneer that deserves even greater recognition. Overcoming racial prejudice to make profound changes to society, Seacole’s work had been under-represented hitherto the early 2000s. Such a heroine should be celebrated and should be ‘on the map’- thus I have placed the subject on an antique 19th century map of Britain, ensuring Mary Seacole is on the map.”- Habib Hajallie