Things I Knew When I Was Young

"The exhibition presents a vibrant series of paintings that depart from Elhassan's signature style of portraiture and distinct human figures. Instead, this time she focuses on iconic childhood objects. Imagine walking through your childhood home, each room filled with almost forgotten items. Elhassan's paintings capture this essence - a toy car that once raced across imaginary highways, a rabbit from her neighbours that she always wanted to visit, a cat that was both friend and foe. The centerpiece, "Pillow Amir" is inspired by a childhood memory where four-year-old Amna declared her pillow to be her son named Amir and made her whole family treat him as such. Elhassan's sculptures offer a thought-provoking commentary on the nature of children's games. A pile of melted plastic water guns on a lego pedastal serves as a metaphor for the parallels between war and plastic - both harmful yet chosen and financed by society. Another sculpture features destroyed plastic children's chairs, alluding to the popular game of musical chairs and questioning the competitive, often violent narratives embedded in children's play. The exhibition space includes an installation of pillows beneath a cloudy canopy, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in Elhassan's sonic memories. A sound piece fills the room with her mother's lullabies, squeaky toys, and the soft thud of pillow fights, creating a multisensory experience that bridges the artist’s past and present."