March of Surreal Hybrid Creatures, 1967

Mustafa AlHallaj (مصطفى الحلاج, also transliterated as Mustafa Al-Hallaj or El Hallaj) was a prominent Palestinian artist born in 1938 in Salama, near Jaffa, and passed away in 2002 in Damascus. Renowned for his mastery of printmaking, particularly in the medium of large-scale relief prints, AlHallaj’s work is deeply rooted in the visual storytelling traditions of the Arab world. His art is characterized by intricate, narrative-driven compositions that blend folklore, mythology, and the collective memory of Palestine, often rendered in black-and-white linocuts and woodcuts. AlHallaj’s monumental print “Self-Portrait as Man, God, the Devil” (1978), measuring over 100 feet, is considered a landmark in contemporary Arab graphic art.

Throughout his career, AlHallaj exhibited widely across the Middle East and internationally, with notable institutional exhibitions at the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris and the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts. His works are held in the collections of major institutions, including the British Museum and Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art. While his pieces are rare at major auction houses, select works have appeared at Bonhams and Sotheby’s, reflecting growing recognition of his contribution to modern Arab art. AlHallaj’s legacy endures as a foundational figure in Palestinian visual culture, celebrated for his commitment to preserving and reimagining the heritage of his homeland through art.