Artist in residence in Stockholm, 1 September—30 November 2025

Halimatu Iddrisu is an artist who lives and works between Accra and Kumasi, Ghana. She was born and brought up into a traditional Muslim home in Accra Ghana while witnessing an evolution in tradition within other Muslim communities (zongo) in Accra and Kumasi. In her artistic endeavors, Iddrisu delves into the intricate interplay between the progressive sartorial choices embraced by Muslim women in Ghana and the stringent regulations imposed by Islamic principles upon women’s attire (specifically with the use of the hijab) in some conservative communities. The juxtaposition of her artistic identity with the confines of a strict Islamic upbringing in Accra, Ghana, evokes a profound resonance. This stark contrast not only shapes her personal experiences but also serves as a fertile source of inspiration, fueling her creative endeavors.

Photo: igyamfi6studio

Halimatu Iddrisu

During her IASPIS residency, she will continue to develop Allo Series, an ongoing project that explores the layered politics of the hijab through intimate storytelling, portraiture and performative gathering. Building on her practice of organising communal encounter such as dinner dates (The Last Supper Series), workshops with women and children, she will delve deeper into the intersection of emancipation, fashion and memory. At IASPIS, she intends to extend this dialogue by connecting with new forms of image making that merge photography, painting, printing and textiles.

Iddrisu obtained a Bachelor and Master of Fine Art from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana in 2020 and 2024 respectively. She has participated in a number of group exhibitions including Air in Zuidoost, Amsterdam (2024), Unfair, Amsterdam (2024), Kuenyehia Prize, Accra, Ghana (2023), Remnants of our Dreams, Accra, Ghana (2022), Woori Festival, Wa, Ghana (2022). Her solo exhibitions include: Shrouded Mysteries (Nubuke Foundation, Accra, Ghana (2023- 2024), Private Viewing (Kumasi, Ghana, 2023), Exposure, Kumasi, Ghana (2021).

Instagram: halimaiddrisu1