Artist Faig Ahmed debuts in dubai to distort and reinvent traditional carpets

Fairmont The Palm and Cuadro Gallery Welcome 2014 Artist-in-Residence

Dubai, UAE - 25 February 2014 - Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, a luxury brand in the FRHI Hotels & Resorts (FRHI) portfolio, in partnership with Dubai-based Cuadro Gallery welcome conceptual artist Faig Ahmed to take part in the art@fairmont residency programme at Fairmont The Palm from now until May 5th, 2014.

As the second artist at the residency, Faig hails from Baku, Azerbaijan and specializes in weaving carpets based on the artistic qualities and aesthetics associated with traditional Azerbaijani rugs. His method sees him mentally disassemble the carpets conventional structure of recurring patterns and rearrange them into unique contemporary sculptural forms, recreating and displacing the standard geometrical fragments. During the three-month residency, Faig will also participate at Art Dubai, the annual fair where galleries and artists from around the world exhibit to a local, regional and international audience, from March 19th - 22nd, 2014.

“The culture in the Gulf region has similarities to the society I’m coming from in Azerbaijan, but at the same time it’s very different. In Dubai, I find it mesmerizing how tradition mixes with modernity. During my residency I will be working on several projects simultaneously. As a result of my observations, two installations and two carpets will be shown at Cuadro Gallery and another two carpets and an installation will take place at Fairmont The Palm. I’ll be working on my installation at Fairmont on site, which will be especially interesting because of the interaction that will happen between me, my artwork and guests of the hotel,” said Faig Ahmed, Artist. “Participating in a residency program is a very interesting and unique experience for an artist to be able to have. I am looking forward to my three-month experience and feel that it will be successful for everyone involved.

Recognized for his surreal sculptures which reinvent the traditional carpet-weaving practices of his homeland, Faig’s visual reconstruction pulls the viewer in with the element of a new final product. Carpets are often regarded as an indestructible icon of the East, and a deeply respected item common in many households used for visual and decorative means. Faig’s work alters these standard stereotypes and creates new boundaries with a fresh outcome.

Installations of Faig’s work will be on display for visitors at Fairmont The Palm throughout the duration of his stay. In addition, guests will be able to get a deeper understanding of Faig’s creative process and view his work-in-progress as he completes an installation at Fairmont during his stay. Faig will work on the installation in public during weekly open studio days held every Thursday from 12pm-6pm.

“Faig Ahmed is a wonderful addition to our art@fairmont residency programme. We think that guests will appreciate Faig’s unique ability to completely change the traditional form of a carpet to create something new and visually stimulating,” said Martin van Kan, General Manager, Fairmont The Palm. “The addition of having some of Faig’s completed works on display at the hotel adds another way for guests to get to know Faig and his work on a deeper level.”

Roberto Lopardo, Director of Cuadro Gallery says, 'Cuadro is excited to welcome Faig Ahmed into the Residency Program and to create opportunities for him to interact with the vibrant, home grown art scene unique to Dubai and the region. We hope that his encounters throughout his stay will deepen his understanding of the region and thereby help to genuinely enrich his own art practices. We are also equally excited to be able to introduce Dubai's residents and visitors to Faig's beautifully crafted sculptures. His unique works will challenge viewers to question the role that post modern influences play in reshaping and at repositioning age old assumptions about tradition and culture.”

Two lectures are also planned to take place during the residency program. The first lecture, hosted at Fairmont the Palm on March 12th, will be led by Cuadro Gallery and Faig Ahmed to discuss Faig’s artistic practices and process. Guests can contact Fairmont The Palm at +971-4-457-3388 for information or bookings, or visit http://www.fairmont.com/palm-dubai/.