Reframing beauty: Sarah Amrani challenges hijab stereotypes through art

Dutch-Moroccan artist Sarah Amrani’s debut exhibition Terror of Beauty is captivating audiences in Amsterdam, where it runs until February.

Hosted at Foam, the exhibition examines the pressures Muslim women face in a digital world dominated by Western beauty ideals. 

Central to the show is a holographic mannequin that showcases “perfect” symmetry under a beautifying filter.

Yet, from other angles, the image fragments — highlighting the disconnect between evolving beauty standards and the static perception of the hijab.

Amrani calls the hijab a “powerful tool of female empowerment,” challenging its negative portrayal in European discourse. 

Foam curator Aya Musa praised Amrani’s work for offering a fresh perspective.

By placing the hijab within the context of AI-driven beauty and virtual identities, Amrani has opened a dialogue about cultural traditions adapting to the digital age. 

The exhibition reflects Amrani’s experiences as a Dutch-Moroccan artist navigating between traditional and modern cultures.

With a multidisciplinary approach, she challenges stereotypes, advocating for the inclusion of Muslim women in discussions on beauty, technology, and identity. 

Amrani hopes to humanize Muslim women in the Netherlands, where restrictive laws and political polarization have marginalized them.

She critiques social media’s role in promoting Westernized aesthetics. 

Terror of Beauty invites visitors to rethink beauty and individuality, presenting the hijab as a frame for empowerment rather than scrutiny.