Abdul-Rahman Abdullah / Project: Drawing from life

Abdul-Rahman Abdullah
Wadjuk Nyungar Country, Mardella, WA
Project: Drawing from life

Abdul-Rahman Abdullah (b. 1977) is an artist living and working on Wadjuk Nyungar country, on a cattle property in the Peel region of WA. Working primarily in sculpture and installation, he explores the intersections of identity, culture and the natural world. Living and working in an agricultural environment, his practice offers alternative perspectives across diverse, and often disparate communities. Abdul-Rahman graduated from Curtin University in 2012. Selected projects include Adelaide Biennial 2016 and 2022 (AGSA); The National 2019 (MCA); Everything is true 2021 (John Curtin Gallery – solo exhibition, Perth Festival); Tarrawarra Biennial 2023 and Uchiboso Arts Festival, Chiba Japan 2024. He was a board member for Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (2017-21); Public Art advisor, City of Perth (2018); set designer for Marrugeku (2019, 2023) and completed a fellowship with Regional Arts (WA) (2021-23). In 2023 he was appointed to the council for The National Gallery of Australia.

After 12 years as a sculptor, Abdul-Rahman will undertake a sustained period of studio development focusing on drawing - expanding his practice with staged presentations of a more responsive, experimental and intuitive approach to storytelling in his work. Exploring experiences of fatherhood and masculinity in the context of nature and childhood, bringing his unique perspective as an intercultural Muslim father raising a young family in a rural Australian farm environment. Drawing represents a dramatic material shift that builds his capacity to produce more work, allowing him to participate in a greater range of projects including residencies, workshops and international exhibitions. In sustainability terms, drawing offers drastically reduced material, time and freight costs, a significant factor working in regional WA. Abdul-Rahman will present early outcomes within a solo exhibition at Moore Contemporary for Perth Festival Feb/Mar 2025, followed by a full body of work proposed for presentation in mid 2025.

website: abdulrahmanabdullah.com

instagram: @ABDUL_RAHMAN_ABDULLAH