Haneefah Adam is a Nigerian self-taught multidisciplinary artist. She is Internationally renowned for her food art and also produces works in other mediums, including but not limited to paintings, photography, sculptures and installations. Her works typically explore issues related to identity, culture and representation, often mining from her personal experiences and interactions.
In 2016, She won the #TechMeetsArt competition themed What’s cooking and was selected to be part of Rele Art Gallery & Samsung Electronic West Africa Food art exhibition. Adam held her debut solo exhibition Life long percussion at Angels and Muse, Lagos in 2018 and has also featured in group exhibitions and art fairs including Her Story – Rele art gallery Lagos (2018), Impart Art Fair Lagos (2019), A Changing Landscape The Female – Van Der Plas Gallery, New York, ANF fellowship 2022.
She is the creator of Hijarbie, a hijab-wearing barbie doll, aimed at promoting a positive
representation of Muslim girls. The main goal of Hijarbie is to spark conversations about diversity and inclusion while also serving as a source of inspiration and education.
Exploring narratives through stories of personal experiences guide her working process as she
seeks to unravel its multifaceted layers through documentation and often, shared experiences,
creating artworks that invite viewers to reflect, relate and subsequently take action through
awareness.
As an artist, she is deeply drawn to exploring the potential of unconventional materials to convey layered meanings in her work. By repurposing objects that carry their histories, she aims to tell new stories through the fragments of the past. Whether it is through ceramics, natural elements, or found objects, she seeks to bridge the gap between form and narrative, using these materials as metaphors for the human experience. Her process involves transforming everyday materials into evocative pieces that invite reflection on themes of resilience, transformation, and memory.
This piece invites the viewer to contemplate the nature of identity and the possibility of rebuilding from fragments of the past.
Her works have been featured in prominent publications including CNN (African Voices), BBC, Financial Times e.t.c and she has worked with brands such as Google, Nestle, PepsiCo, MTN, Dangote Salt, Islamic Relief Uk and United Nations Refugee Agency Private Partnerships & Philanthropy Service in Africa (UNHCR).
Adam currently lives and works in Lagos.