CUADRO GALLERY IN DUBAI (SEP 14 - NOV 30, 2014) A Solo Exhibition ‘Fluid Forms’ by Faig Ahmed

Faig Ahmed / In his studio in Baku, Azerbaijan / Image Courtesy of the Artist and Cuadro Gallery

Faig Ahmed stretches traditional threads farther in his continued reinvention of the conventional Middle-Eastern carpet. The artist uses the most basic component of a deconstructed rug, woolen threads and arabesque patterns, to elasticize our perception of the cultural icon.

At his upcoming solo exhibition entitled 'Fluid Forms', the Azerbaijani artist and nominee for Victoria and Albert Museum’s Third Jameel Prize, will unveil new bodies of work created during his residency with Cuadro Gallery earlier this year.

Ahmed’s works include hand-woven rugs encompassed in sculptural arms that extend out of thread into neon geometric forms. The artist’s signature optical illusions stretch beyond the carpet frame – a conventional rug dissembles midway, bleeding onto the floor in a meticulously woven pool of melting threads.

Faig Ahmed / Butah, 2014. Handwoven woolen rug / Image Courtesy of Cuadro Gallery

Faig Ahmed / Ilan, 2014. Handwoven woolen rug / Image Courtesy of Cuadro Gallery

Faig Ahmed / Simurq, 2014. Handwoven woolen rug / Image Courtesy of Cuadro Gallery

Faig Ahmed / Liquid, 2014 / Image Courtesy of Cuadro Gallery

Faig Ahmed / Outflow, 2014. Handwoven woolen rug / Image Courtesy of Cuadro Gallery

Faig Ahmed / Shift, 2014. Handwoven woolen rug / Image Courtesy of Cuadro Gallery

Faig Ahmed / Shift (detail) 2014. Handwoven woolen rug / Image Courtesy of Cuadro Gallery

Faig Ahmed

Faig Ahmed graduated from the Sculpture faculty at the Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Art in Baku in 2004. Since 2003, he has been working with various media, including painting, video and installation. In 2007, he was chosen to represent Azerbaijan at the nation’s inaugural pavilion at the Venice Biennale in 2007, and again in 2013. The Victoria and Albert Museum shortlisted Ahmed for the 3rd Jameel Prize in 2013.

Faig Ahmed / Working in his studio in Baku, Azerbaijan / Image Courtesy of the Artist and Cuadro Gallery

The Residency at Cuadro

The Residency at Cuadro is a three-month program, offering a select group of local and international artists accommodation and studio space in which to expand their practice. Cuadro works closely with the artists to meet their creative and professional needs, providing career mentorship and exhibition opportunities.

Cuadro Fine Art Gallery

Founded in 2008, Cuadro Gallery, located in the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), has quickly become one of the UAE’s premier post-modern and contemporary art venues. Cuadro Gallery maintains four key areas of focus: exhibitions, education, residency and consultation. Cuadro’s curated exhibitions provide audiences with an opportunity to experience diverse approaches to and executions of art. These exhibitions are enhanced by the Education Program at Cuadro, comprised of lectures, workshops and panel discussions that present an academic avenue through which to understand and participate in the evolving art market.

The Residency at Cuadro offers a select group of artists studio space, accommodation, career mentoring and exhibition opportunities in the UAE. The artists, both local and international, are often also provided the opportunity to exhibit the work they have created at Cuadro at the end of their residency.

Cuadro also provides qualified art consultation services for its discerning collectors, building on existing collections and helping to establish new collections. Through these initiatives, Cuadro maintains its commitment to dynamically engage the local and international art community.

The solo exhibition will remain open until November 30, 2014.