By Firi Rahman’s (b. 1990, Sri Lanka) work is often concerned with the contentious relationship between humankind and the animal kingdom. He is particularly interested in the interactions between animals and urban environments and the responsibility societies share in protecting biodiversity. His works, brought to life through his sombre and monochromatic style, are an intimate and sensitive engagement with wildlife. Even in their minimalism, the dexterity of his skill and close engagement with the subject imbue it with a palpable quality, compelling an empathetic response from the viewer.
Firi earned a Foundation in Art and Design (2012) from City and Guilds at Manchester College in the United Kingdom.
He is a co-founder of We Are From Here, a collective project that highlights a deeply interconnected community in Slave Island whose home base is increasingly threatened by gentrification for state and corporate interests. Firi’s work has been exhibited at the Colombo Art Biennale (2016) and Colomboscope (2016 and 2019). His works belong to private collections in Sri Lanka, Switzerland, India, the United Kingdom, and the USA. He was also selected for the Cité Internationales des Arts residency in France (2023)
Firi Rahman’s SWEPT AWAY LIKE LEAVE
11 JANUARY – 11 FEBRUARY 2024
(Sasika Gallery)
Link to Gallery: https://www.saskiafernandogallery.com/artists/35-firi-rahman/overview/
