Marwan Bassiouni's First Solo Exhibition in the Region at Lawrie Shabibi

On 18 September 2025, Lawrie Shabibi will unveil 'New Western Views (Preview)', marking Marwan Bassiouni's inaugural solo exhibition in the region. This showcase includes photographs captured between 2018 and 2022 within mosques located in the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the UK. Each photograph highlights a window that frames recognizable Western scenes—such as traffic intersections, supermarkets, apartment complexes, and sports fields—while incorporating elements of Islamic visual culture, like ornate tiles, rugs, and wooden minbars. Many mosques are situated in repurposed buildings, including old shops, garages, or homes, illustrating how Muslim communities integrate their practices into everyday environments. Bassiouni’s large-scale images are meticulously lit to unify both interior and exterior views, challenging traditional documentary styles and subverting Orientalist perspectives by simply presenting the landscape outside the mosque. This approach encourages viewers to reflect on the visual representation of place and the expression of diasporic identities within the subtle architecture of daily life.