Mahtab Hussain: What Did You Want To See?

Ikon presents a solo exhibition, What Did You Want To See? by British artist Mahtab Hussain (20 March – 1 June 2025). Raised in Birmingham, Hussain explores the fine line between photographic documentation and surveillance culture, addressing the intelligence sites established by the media and the state to monitor the Muslim community in Britain.  

Commissioned by Ikon and Photoworks, the exhibition features new work, including Hussain’s systematic documentation of 160 Birmingham mosques, revealing the diversity of mosque architecture; portraits of Birmingham residents which highlight the city’s vibrant Muslim community; a communal space within the gallery aimed at fostering inclusion and intercultural dialogue; and What Did You Want To See? an installation simulating a site under surveillance. 

During the summers of 2023 and 2024, Hussain systematically photographed the city’s mosques, capturing 160 in total. Displayed in a 16 x 10 grid, the installation offers an architectural typology reminiscent of works by German artists Hilla and Bernd Becher. The collection reveals the diversity of mosque architecture, from the iconic domes and minarets of Birmingham’s Central Mosque to the Arts & Crafts designs of terraced houses and yellow brick churches.

Following his previous photographic series You Get Me? (2008-2017) and Honest With You (2008- 2018), which visualised the experiences of British South Asian men and women, Hussain’s latest work presents portraits of Birmingham residents. Produced in 2024, these black and white portraits highlight the vibrant diversity of Birmingham’s Muslim community. Hussain’s installations create a communal space within the gallery, fostering inclusion, care and intercultural dialogue. A carpeted room features a video of five prayer sequences, inviting visitors to join or observe as they choose.

“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.” Mahtab Hussain 

This exhibition is commissioned by Ikon and Photoworks and supported by the John Feeney Charitable Trust and Freelands Foundation.