ATHR Jeddah from 25.1.25
Rami Farook presents A Muslim Man
front cover: Aerial View of the Land, (2024)
- charcoal, acrylic, & correction pen on canvas in aluminum frame, 145x153cm
In The Name Of God, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful (2016/24)
- digital print on canvas in aluminum brace frame, 48x39cm
This intermedia docu-fictional immersive exhibition attempts to flow like a film, as it presents the journey of a Muslim man’s relationship with God, faith, self, family, and society.
What began as a conceptual feature in 2015, evolved in the past year into works, as if scenes, of its unrealized sequel.
The space unfolds across seven sections, like a plot: context, protagonist, cause for conflict, conflict, response to conflict, climax, and moral.
Each section builds upon the last, guiding the viewer through an anxious, calming, emotional, and spiritual evolution.
The cinematic experience, with matte black walls & ceiling, straight labyrinth-like floor plan & spotlights, guide while highlighting.
The tale moves through contradictions— chaos & peace, confusion & clarity, comedy & pain— presenting introspection, while addressing issues of community, civilization, and change.
The works explore some of the internal & external, personal & universal struggles of the protagonist— his responsibility, courage, relationships, comfort, rage, surrender and expectations.
These struggles are presented as part of an ongoing process of growth & discovery through unity, balance, rest, death, love & contemplation.
He is portrayed as both victim & hero, navigating a path of compassion, vulnerability, and strength - framed within the complexities of faith & culture.
He is presented as a figure of resilience, grappling with his place in a rapidly changing world, confronting injustice toward his people, collective self-hatred, censorship and stereotypes.
He addresses intergenerational struggles, evolution, and the practicing of faith in a contemporary context.
“A Muslim Man” intends to speak with the transformative purpose of art—to accept, challenge, empathize, enlighten, heal, propose, protect and understand.
CONTEXT
Bedroom Wall (2011-24) - vinyl print on wall 125cm wide
Sky, Towers, Trees & Graves (2021/24)
- charcoal oil pastel + acrylic on canvas, 145x153cm
Asking AI About Muslim Men (2024)
vinyl print on wall, 60cm wide
The Muslim Man Today (unknown/2024)
- vinyl print on wall, 60cm wide
I Love You In God (2022/4)
- acrylic on canvas in aluminum frame, 195x145cm
Community Prayer (2022)
- vinyl print on wall, 60cm wide
Supplication (2024)
- Video on 32” screen, 4:18
We’re All Shepherds, And We’re All Responsible For Our Herds (2018/2024)
- oil, spray paint & thread on recycled canvas in aluminum frame,145x145cm
PROTAGONIST
Caring For His Father (2024)
- acrylic & spray paint on recycled canvas in aluminum frame, 75x100cm
2 nights of Ramadan in AlMadina (2024)
- Vinyl print on wall, 90cm tall
And You Will Not Believe Unless You Love One Another (2024) - acrylic on canvas in aluminum brace frame 74x80cm
Adam (2022)
- glazed ceramic (32cm) on cylindrical plinth (25x125cm)
25CM GAP BETWEN THEM
WALL 7 CENTER
Cutting His Daughter’s Cat’s Nails (2024)
- oil on canvas in aluminum frame, 74x86cm
Heart Socks & Sujood, 2024
- vinyl print on wall, 30x30cm
Unity (2024)
- ink & acrylic on canvas in aluminum frame, 145x155cm
Attempting to concentrate during prayer 1, 2015 - Video on 32” screen, 2:50
different ways to see a muslim man, 2015 - Video on 32” screen, 2:10
For God, 2024 - vinyl on wall, 20cm wide
Alone, 2024
- custom mattress, 60x170cmx25cm
CAUSE FOR THE CONFLICT
A Self & Social Landscape, 2024
- pencil, acrylic & spray paint on canvas panel in aluminum frame, 30x40cm
This Is Not A Happy Reality, (2021) - spray paint on vinyl print on wall, 20cm wide
I Am Muslim, 2022/4
- vinyl print on wall, 20x20cm
It-muslim-you-them-extremist-extremist-extremist (2024) - vinyl print on wall, 60cm wide
Untitled, 2024 - linen thobe, spraypaint, nail
A Shake, 2014/15
- Video on 32” screen, 0:55
Goals, 2014/15
- Video on 32” screen, 0:55
Muslim Man (2018)
- Oil on canvas panel in aluminum frame, 30x30cm
CONFLICT
Tension, 2024
Concrete block on untempered glass, 50x50x40cm
The Siege Of Jeddah / A Determined Defense (2024)
- charcoal on canvas, 145x153cm
A State Of Conflict Or Confusion, 2015 - Video on 32” screen, 3:20
A Muslim Man Changing, 2015 - Video on 32” screen, 5:25
During Hardships (2024)
- charcoal & spray paint on canvas in aluminum frame, 145x195cm
RESPONSE TO CONFLICT
Pocket Quran, 2024
- vinyl print on wall, 25x25cm
Remembering God (2022/4)
- vinyl print & wall, 20x20cm
- digital print on non archival canvas in aluminum frame, 50x50cm
Person Of Determination (2024)
Clean & dirty, 2024 -2 clear buckets, tap water, trash from exhibition space, 50x80x40cm
Jumping Into An Empty Bed (2024)
- pastel & oil on canvas, 72x70cm
In Bed (2024)
- oil & spray paint on recycled canvas in aluminum frame, 70x70cm
God Is Greater (2015)
- Video on 32” screen, 6:10
Prostration (2024)
- spray paint / oil / acrylic and charcoal on canvas, 64x62cm
Phone’s Wallpaper (2024)
oil on recycled canvas in aluminum frame 74x51cm
CLIMAX
The Darkest Hour There May Be Light / 2 ل / Weeks Apart (2024)
oil + spray paint on canvas in aluminum brace frame, 116 x 86cm
Oh Gentle One (2022)
- arylic on paper in wooden frame, 40x52cm
Untitled (2024) - acrylic & charcoal on recycled canvas 99x115
You’re All Shepherds & You’re All Responsible For Your Herd 2 (2024) - oil & pastel on canvas in aluminum frame, 145x153cm
A Man Standing On Top Of A High Unstable Ladder In A Small Lake, The Landscape Is Clear, He’s Closing His Eyes, There’s A Fire In The Distance, We Think There’s Light, But It’s Actually Dark, He’s Alone But Not Lonely, Thinking About Jumping, Feels Protected By God (2024) - oil on canvas, 75x75cm
A Boy Standing On Top Of A High Unstable Ladder In A Small Lake, The Landscape Is Clear, He’s Closing His Eyes, There’s A Fire In The Distance, We Think There’s Light, But It’s Actually Dark, He’s Alone But Not Lonely, Thinking About Jumping, Feels Protected By God (2024)
frame, 140x240cm
Melting Into A Hole (2015)
- Video on 32” screen, 5:05
A Muslim Man’s Hands (2015) - video on 32” screen, 0:35
More Than 101 Matches, 2 White Candles, And A Lighter (2015)
- video on 32” screen, 7:05
There Is No Servant Without Mistake/ Da3wa In The Club (2024)
- vinyl print on wall , 60cm wide
A Peaceful Landscape (2024)
- Oil on canvas, 71x96cm
MORAL
In the company of women, 2024
Charcoal & spray paint on canvas, 60x60cm
A Blessing May Come To You Because You Wished It For Others (2021/4) - spray paint on vinyl print on wall, 20x20cm
God Willing, No Sins After Today (2024)
- vinyl print on wall, 20x20cm
Actions Are According To Intentions…(2023)
- lenticular print in aluminum frame, 40x54cm
oil & charcoal on canvas in aluminum frame, 145x195cm
Ready For Burial, 2024
- vinyl print on wall, 60cm wide
Interview With An Actor, now deceased (2024)
- vinyl print on wall, 60cm wide
A Grave, 2024
- acrylic on canvas in aluminum frame, 145x153cm Center
Resting (2022)
- acrylic on canvas panel in aluminum frame 31x42cm
The Last Sermon (2024)
- charcoal, pastel & acrylic on canvas, 90x200x5cm
Attempting To Concentrate During Prayer 2, 2015 - Video on 32” screen, 3:50
Allah So Determined And Did As He Willed (2024) - Oil on canvas in aluminum frame, 50x75cm
Thank God (2022/4)
- giveaway stickers, 5x5cm
Untitled, 2024/4
- Spray paint on canvas in aluminum frame, around 50x65cm
Rami (b. 1981, Dubai) is an interdisciplinary artist, curator, and producer. Self-taught, Rami’s journey in art began in 2007 as a collector, gallerist, and patron, with a purpose to be useful, honorable, and compassionate. His engagement with the conditions of art—its possibilities & responsibilities—drives him. While he thrives on conceptualization, intervention, and experimentation, often executing his projects with emotional intensity & impulsivity- he treats every project as if it were his last. He has been dedicated to sociocultural development while caring for his parents & children.
His practice spans a diverse range of media, including painting, sculpture, photography, video, performance, and interventions. It is deeply rooted in the socio-historical, intending to create change in understanding & behavior. He uses art as a tool to inform, educate and entertain, often blending conceptual with documentary & fiction. His process is not only instinctively charged but also planned, and sometimes collaborative & communal.
Rami’s notable shows, projects and spaces include Traffic 1 & 2, Edge of Arabia Berlin, Satellite, The State, The 1st & 2nd Kochi Biennale, An Arab Man Smiling with a pineapple, AlHangar 1 & 2, An Arab Artist’s 1st Solo in America, General, Maisan15, 16 Years Later and YSA: On Purpose. Through these contributions, he has created opportunities for adaption, dialogue, connection, innovation, and transformation.
Rami’s work are in the The Barajeel Foundation, The Obayashi Collection, The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi among others.
SELECTED SOLOs
2025 - A Muslim Man, ATHR Gallery, Jeddah, KSA
2024 - the people of Gaza don’t mourn their martyrs, Satellite, Dubai, UAE
- since October 7th, Satellite, Dubai, UAE
2023 - An Untitled Exhibition, ATHR Gallery, Jeddah, KSA
- 16 years later: a summarized retrospective at my local art fair, ATHR Booth at Art Dubai
2020 - Items Discontinued, Maisan 15, Dubai, UAE/ curated by Ruba Al Sweel
2019 - Peace & Productivity, Season, Seattle, WA
2016 - An Arab Artist’s 1st Solo in America, Satellite Art Show, Miami, USA
- From the Majlis to the Toilet, Satellite, Dubai, UAE / Curated by Ayman Yusri
2014 - The grass is sometimes greener where you water it, Satellite,Dubai
- I know you are but what am I?, Satellite, Dubai, UAE
2012 - a symbiotic relationship between art, history, religion, media and society, Satellite, Dubai, UAE
2011 - monitor: issue 0, Traffic 2.0, Dubai, UAE
SELECTED GROUP Shows
2024 -
, Riyadh, KSA / curated by Alaa Tarabzouni
- last frame of the day, online/ curated by James Clar
- Crystal Clear, Bayt Al Mamazar, Dubai, UAE/ curated by salasil
- I took a screenshot of the whole world, Poush, Paris/ curated by Ruba Al Sweel
2023 - Heartache, Very Public, Riyadh, KSA
2017 - Sharjah biennale’s second act, Beirut/ curated by Reem Fadda
2016 - Khaleej 2016, D3, Dubai, UAE
- Al Hangar 2, Jeddah, KSA
- When they try to hurt your feelings but you dont have any, Satellite, Dubai,UAE
2015 - Emirati expressions, Abu Dhabi/ curated by Maisa Al Qasimi & Reem Fadda
- Al Hangar 1, Jeddah, KSA
2014 - Another intervention at the biennale, Kochi, Kerala
2013 - Sikka Art fair, Dubai, UAE
2012 - Villa Mendez, Kochi, Kerala
- Mobile art gallery, Dubai/ curated by Bella Hughes and Angelle Siyangle
2011 - The State: Social / Anti Social, The Third Line gallery & Traffic 2.0, Dubai
2010 - LOCAL, Zona Tortona, Milan, Italy
2007 - Concept to Reality, Traffic 1.0, Dubai, UAE
Please excuse typos
And if I forgot to thank anyone
