A new exhibition exploring Birmingham’s rich Muslim community and some of the issues surrounding it is to open on Westside this spring.
The Ikon Gallery in Oozells Square on Brindleyplace is to present a solo exhibition entitled What Did You Want To See? by Birmingham-born artist Mahtab Hussain.
The exhibition, which runs at the gallery from 20 March to 1 June, explores the fine line between photographic documentation and surveillance culture with regard to the Muslim community in Britain.
Commissioned by Ikon and Photoworks, the exhibition features new work, including Hussain’s documentation of 160 Birmingham mosques, portraits of local residents, a communal space, and an installation simulating a site under surveillance.
The collection of photos of mosques reveals the diversity of their architecture, from iconic domes and minarets to the arts and crafts designs of terraced houses and yellow brick churches.
His exhibition also presents black and white portraits of Birmingham residents, highlighting the diversity of the city’s Muslim community. In addition, the exhibition features a series of installations aimed at fostering inclusion, care and intercultural dialogue.
In one, a carpeted room features a video of five prayer sequences, inviting visitors to join or observe as they choose. Another installation, titled An Act of Civil Declaration (2025), is a series of statements that confront the harmful stereotypes and prejudiced labels that the Muslim community has faced.
Two additional videos, created with novelist, playwright and video artist Guy Gunaratne, explore the Muslim experience in Britain. They celebrate community activities, sports and social gatherings while also reflecting on Hussain’s personal journey growing up in Birmingham.
Another video features actor, poet and playwright Azan Ahmed sharing the act of daily prayer and its meaning, highlighting the British Muslim community’s heritage and the artist’s intimate connection to his hometown.
Mahtab Hussain said: “Through my work, I strive to reflect the richness and resilience of Muslim communities, celebrating their individuality while challenging stereotypes. Each portrait and installation is a story, an invitation to connect, and a reminder of the beauty in our shared humanity.”
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