{"id":1929425,"date":"2026-05-11T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-10T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1929425"},"modified":"2026-05-11T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-10T21:00:00","slug":"habib-hajallies-meticulous-ballpoint-pen-drawings-examine-the-depths-of-emotion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1929425","title":{"rendered":"Habib Hajallie\u2019s Meticulous Ballpoint Pen Drawings Examine the Depths of Emotion"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-content prose-colossal max-w-none\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-style-default entry-header is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fe9cc265 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"colo-post-featured-image wp-block-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1706\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/hajallie-3.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"A blue ballpoint pen drawing of a man's face on antique text pages\" style=\"object-fit:cover\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Detail of \u201cThis Mind Hath Demolition Reached\u201d (2025), ballpoint pen on antique texts, 11 3\/4 x 16 1\/2 inches. All images \u00a9 Habib Hajallie, courtesy of Larkin Durey, shared with permission<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group post-title is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-0bc941e6 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h1 class=\"alignfull wp-block-post-title\">Habib Hajallie\u2019s Meticulous Ballpoint Pen Drawings Examine the Depths of Emotion<\/h1>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull post-meta is-layout-flex wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2026-05-11T08:41:05-05:00\">May 11, 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<div class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a class=\"category-art\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/category\/art\/\" rel=\"tag\">Art<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/author\/kmothes\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"wp-block-post-author-name__link\">Kate Mothes<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull post-share-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing has-visible-labels has-icon-color is-style-logos-only is-layout-flex wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-is-layout-flex\">\n<li style=\"color: #1c1e0d\" class=\"outermost-social-sharing-link outermost-social-sharing-link-facebook has-crow-color wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thisiscolossal.com%2F2026%2F05%2Fhabib-hajallie-ballpoint-pen-drawings-portraits%2F&amp;title=Habib%20Hajallie%27s%20Meticulous%20Ballpoint%20Pen%20Drawings%20Examine%20the%20Depths%20of%20Emotion\" aria-label=\"Share\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-anchor\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-label \"><br \/>\n\t\t\tShare\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"color: #1c1e0d\" class=\"outermost-social-sharing-link outermost-social-sharing-link-mail has-crow-color wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/cdn-cgi\/l\/email-protection#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\" aria-label=\"Email\" class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-anchor\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-label \"><br \/>\n\t\t\tEmail\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><button class=\"simplefavorite-button preset\" data-postid=\"473892\" data-siteid=\"1\" data-groupid=\"1\" data-favoritecount=\"0\"><i class=\"sf-icon-bookmark\"><\/i>Bookmark<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>In ballpoint pen on found fragments of philosophical and historical texts, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.habibhajallie.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Habib Hajallie<\/a> delves into the emotional realm of memory, connection, and loss. The Kent-based artist often celebrates Black cultural figures and beloved family members, along with examining his own personal experiences as a British man of Sierra Leonean and Lebanese heritage. In his current solo exhibition, <em>Black &amp; Blue<\/em> at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.larkindurey.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Larkin Durey<\/a>, Hajallie grapples with the devastating stillbirth of his daughter and the \u201cindescribable emotions that sit beneath language,\u201d says the gallery.<\/p>\n<p>For this show, the artist deliberately switched from using black ballpoint ink to blue. As he made these works, Hajallie also reflected on the loss of his sister four years ago. Using antique maps and snippets of philosophical and sociological writings, he portrays subtle sides of what the gallery describes as \u201can altered sense of self.\u201d Figures, including several self-portraits, exude feelings of despair, confusion, numbness, care, and the nuanced emotions that emerge in-between.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/hajallie-8.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-473892\" title=\"\u201cStill Remain\u201d (2026), ballpoint pen on antique texts, 11 3\/8 x 16 1\/2 inches\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cStill Remain\u201d (2026), ballpoint pen on antique texts, 11 3\/8 x 16 1\/2 inches\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cStill Remain\u201d (2026), ballpoint pen on antique texts, 11 3\/8 x 16 1\/2 inches\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2263\" height=\"3200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/hajallie-8.jpg\" alt=\"A blue ballpoint pen drawing of a man's face on antique text pages\" class=\"wp-image-473900\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cStill Remain\u201d (2026), ballpoint pen on antique texts, 11 3\/8 x 16 1\/2 inches<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cWhile this series is concerned with the internal landscape of loss and what it means to endure a profoundly altered reality, each artwork has acted as an invaluable step towards healing,\u201d the gallery says. \u201cBy drawing directly onto antique texts that explore morality, purpose, and transcendence, Hajallie\u2019s personal pain enters into a wider conversation about finding meaning and the ways in which drawing can become a space of solace and catharsis.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>Black &amp; Blue <\/em>continues through May 22 in London. See more on the artist\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/habib_hajallie\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/hajallie-6.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-473892\" title=\"\u201cA Refuge Among Reflections\u201d (2026), ballpoint pen on antique texts, 33 1\/8 x 23 1\/4 inches\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cA Refuge Among Reflections\u201d (2026), ballpoint pen on antique texts, 33 1\/8 x 23 1\/4 inches\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cA Refuge Among Reflections\u201d (2026), ballpoint pen on antique texts, 33 1\/8 x 23 1\/4 inches\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2254\" height=\"3200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/hajallie-6.jpg\" alt=\"A blue ballpoint pen drawing of a seated man on antique text pages\" class=\"wp-image-473898\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cA Refuge Among Reflections\u201d (2026), ballpoint pen on antique texts, 33 1\/8 x 23 1\/4 inches<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/hajallie-5-e1778505684387.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-473892\" title=\"Detail of \u201cA Refuge Among Reflections\u201d\" data-rl_title=\"Detail of \u201cA Refuge Among Reflections\u201d\" data-rl_caption=\"Detail of \u201cA Refuge Among Reflections\u201d\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2133\" height=\"1398\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/hajallie-5-e1778505684387.jpg\" alt=\"A blue ballpoint pen drawing of a seated man on antique text pages\" class=\"wp-image-473897\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Detail of \u201cA Refuge Among Reflections\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/hajallie-4.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-473892\" title=\"\u201cThis Mind Hath Demolition Reached\u201d (2025), ballpoint pen on antique texts, 11 3\/4 x 16 1\/2 inches\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cThis Mind Hath Demolition Reached\u201d (2025), ballpoint pen on antique texts, 11 3\/4 x 16 1\/2 inches\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cThis Mind Hath Demolition Reached\u201d (2025), ballpoint pen on antique texts, 11 3\/4 x 16 1\/2 inches\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2263\" height=\"3200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/hajallie-4.jpg\" alt=\"A blue ballpoint pen drawing of a man's face on antique text pages\" class=\"wp-image-473896\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cThis Mind Hath Demolition Reached\u201d (2025), ballpoint pen on antique texts, 11 3\/4 x 16 1\/2 inches<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/hajallie-1.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-473892\" title=\"\u201cNothing Else to Fear\u201d (2026), ballpoint pen on antique texts, 33 1\/8 x 23 1\/4 inches\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cNothing Else to Fear\u201d (2026), ballpoint pen on antique texts, 33 1\/8 x 23 1\/4 inches\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cNothing Else to Fear\u201d (2026), ballpoint pen on antique texts, 33 1\/8 x 23 1\/4 inches\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2264\" height=\"3200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/hajallie-1.jpg\" alt=\"A blue ballpoint pen drawing of two man next to one another, one seated and looking concerned, on antique text pages\" class=\"wp-image-473893\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cNothing Else to Fear\u201d (2026), ballpoint pen on antique texts, 33 1\/8 x 23 1\/4 inches<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/hajallie-2.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-473892\" title=\"\u201cArise and Walk Strongly and Fearlessly\u201d (2026), ballpoint pen on antique texts, 33 1\/8 x 23 1\/4 inches\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cArise and Walk Strongly and Fearlessly\u201d (2026), ballpoint pen on antique texts, 33 1\/8 x 23 1\/4 inches\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cArise and Walk Strongly and Fearlessly\u201d (2026), ballpoint pen on antique texts, 33 1\/8 x 23 1\/4 inches\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2253\" height=\"3200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/hajallie-2.jpg\" alt=\"A blue ballpoint pen drawing of a woman and a man standing beside one another on antique text pages\" class=\"wp-image-473894\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cArise and Walk Strongly and Fearlessly\u201d (2026), ballpoint pen on antique texts, 33 1\/8 x 23 1\/4 inches<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<aside class=\"after-entry\" role=\"complementary\" aria-label=\"After Entry\">\n<section id=\"block-16\" class=\"widget widget_block widget_text\">\n<p><mark style=\"background-color:#88caf0\" class=\"has-inline-color\"><strong>Do stories and artists like this matter to you?<\/strong><\/mark> Become a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/members\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"118516\">Colossal Member<\/a> now, and support independent arts publishing.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"block-17\" class=\"widget widget_block\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top member-benefits is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Hide advertising<\/li>\n<li>Save your favorite 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All images \u00a9 Habib Hajallie, courtesy of Larkin Durey, shared with permission Habib Hajallie\u2019s Meticulous Ballpoint Pen Drawings Examine the Depths of Emotion May 11, 2026 Art Kate Mothes Share Email Bookmark In ballpoint pen on [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,270],"class_list":["post-1929425","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-thisiscolossal-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1929425","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1929425"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1929425\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1929425"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1929425"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1929425"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}