Hanan Abdu is quietly shifting how African Muslim women see themselves—and how they are seen by others. A digital illustrator of Eritrean heritage, Hanan creates simple, modern illustrations that center the beauty, culture, and identity of Muslim women across the African continent. Her clean, vibrant style—recognizable for its minimalist lines and rich cultural detail—offers a refreshing visual language for portraying everyday elegance.
Through her platform Hanan’s Corner and growing Instagram following @hananscorner, Hanan is building a visual archive of African Muslim womanhood. Her portraits are calm, confident, and unapologetically stylish. In a digital world saturated with trends, her illustrations stand out for their clarity and intention. They are beautiful in their simplicity—each one honoring the dignity of Muslim women in Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia, Kenya, Nigeria, and across the diaspora.
Hanan’s recent portrait series on Eritrean women is a striking example of how she honors heritage while keeping her visual aesthetic current. She highlights traditional hairstyles, flowing zuria dresses, layered gold jewelry, and patterned scarves—all with a soft, modern finish. These aren’t historical reconstructions; they’re living, breathing depictions of how culture evolves. Her women are modern, modest, and expressive—often looking directly at the viewer, radiating pride.
Beyond Eritrea, Hanan’s illustrations profile Muslim women from various African regions, capturing the diversity of dress, beauty standards, and cultural expression. Whether it’s a Nigerian woman in a bold gele or a Somali woman in a colorful guntiino, Hanan shows how Muslim women across Africa inhabit fashion, faith, and femininity in powerful and unique ways.
Centering African Muslim Women
At the core of Hanan’s work is a mission to center African Muslim women—not as subjects of other people’s stories, but as protagonists in their own. Her art challenges global narratives that often flatten Muslim identity into a single image. Instead, she offers an expansive, celebratory view: African Muslim women as artists, sisters, scholars, mothers, creators, and dreamers.
Her illustrations speak to the everyday beauty of these women. There are no exoticized poses or overworked scenes. Just real women, captured in moments of stillness, confidence, and grace. In a world where African Muslim women are often misrepresented—or completely left out—Hanan’s work provides joyful recognition.
Creating a New Visual Language
What makes Hanan’s approach so compelling is its accessibility. Her illustrations are digitally native, easy to share, and rooted in a design-forward aesthetic that appeals to young audiences across the globe. She’s not trying to replicate fine art conventions—she’s crafting a new visual language that bridges digital illustration, identity politics, and fashion.
Her work has resonated deeply with young Muslim women who see themselves reflected in her drawings. Many of her followers describe feeling “seen” and “celebrated” through her art—a powerful reminder of how simple visual representation can affirm identity and belonging.
