FAISAL ABDU'ALLAH: THE BROWNING OF BRITANNIA
BFI Southbank Gallery
Artist: Faisal Abdu'Allah
Dates: 14 February to 18 May
The Browning of Britannia is a major new BFI commission that explores questions of truth and self-perception. An intriguing and controversial hall of mirrors, it continues and develops artist Faisal Abdu’Allah’s investigation of cultural identity.
It explores the the story of Ago Piero Ajano, who was first brought to Faisal Abdu'Allah's attention by his 'power of attorney', who was adamant that Ago is a descendant of King Edward VIII. Today, after having led a lavish lifestyle in London in the 80s, Ago lives in a very modest council flat, penniless.
The project in many ways exemplifies Abdu'Allah's concerns with notions of truth and fiction explored in his previous work. The commission has allowed the artist to develop his practice through use of the moving image, and to collaborate with Big Hug Ltd, an award-winning production company, one of whose aims is to portray the lives and experiences of Black people in the UK.
With The Browning of Britannia the artist has produced a multifaceted account of a life which defies logic and challenges acquired knowledge and truths - and a work that interrogates the documentary form itself. Offering Ago the opportunity to tell the story of who he was, and who he has become, this tale of a lost fortune and an uncertain lineage is illustrated by documents and photographs from his past, fleshed out through conversations with friends and acquaintances from his heyday - constructing a tower with many windows and a story with questions of truth at its core.
ABOUT FAISAL ABDU'ALLAH:
Faisal Abdu’Allah graduated from the Royal College of Art, his first solo show ‘Censored’ received wide acclaim and was quoted as ’one to watch’ by art critic Sarah Kent in 1993. His work primarily evolves from the interface of photography, printmaking and performance installations. He has received numerous awards including the Anonymous Arts Award 2011-12, The Brittingham Fellow Award 2011-12, IDA Award 2010, First Prize at the Tallinn Print Triennial 2007, Decibel Artist Award 2005 and has participated in the Sharjah, Torino, Tallinn and recently the coveted 55th Venice Biennale 2013, curated by Professor Nancy Mithlo. He was the visiting professor and artist in residence at Stanford University, California in 2010 and recently completed his second visiting professorship and residency at the University of Wisconsin 2013. His third major public art project is on the facia of the new Village School, London and Abdu'Allah appears in the feature length film 'Fade' alongside Pharell Williams; directed by Andy Mundy-Castle. Abdu’Allah is represented by Magnolia Editions, USA and Autograph ABP, UK.
Faisal Abdu’Allah's Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faisal_Abdu%27allah
Address:
BFI Southbank Gallery,
London SE1
Tel: 020 7928 3232
Website: www.bfi.org.uk/gallery
Entrance to the BFI Southbank Gallery is FREE.
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/51852436
