Artist Spotlight: Abdul-Rahman Abdullah

Artist Feature: Abdul-Rahman Abdullah & The Tilt 2024 Exhibition

Welcome to our first of many, Artist Spotlight. This is a new series we want to introduce to U RESIN where we share the many talented Artists’ we get to work with and share some of their greatest achievements. Art has a unique way of bringing people together, and sometimes, it reconnects us with those who have inspired us in the past. That was exactly the case when we had the incredible opportunity to support the work of renowned Western Australian artist Abdul-Rahman Abdullah for the Tilt 2024 Exhibition.

On Saturday, 30th November 2024, we were fortunate enough to be invited to the opening night of this extraordinary exhibition, where Abdul-Rahman Abdullah alongside his wife and creative partner, Anna Louise Richardson unveiled their collaborative work, SHELTER—a deeply thought-provoking exploration of identity, nature, and place.

One of the standout installations in the exhibition is ‘Flock’, a mesmerising display of 75 seagulls, each meticulously crafted using Jesmonite AC100 and individually hand-painted to achieve a breathtakingly realistic finish.

This was such a special exhibition for us to be a part of, not just because of the incredible artistry involved, but also because it was a reunion, many years in the making.

About the Artist: Abdul-Rahman Abdullah

Born in 1977, Abdul-Rahman Abdullah is a Western Australian artist based on Wadjuk Nyungar country, where he lives and works on a cattle property in the Peel region. His work, which primarily focuses on sculpture with wood and installation, explores the intersections of identity, culture, and the natural world.

Coming from an agricultural environment, Abdul-Rahman offers alternative perspectives that bridge diverse and often disparate communities, using his art to tell powerful stories.

Since graduating from Curtin University in 2012, he has exhibited extensively across Australia, including at major institutions such as:

•Adelaide Biennial 2016 & 2022 (Art Gallery of South Australia)
•The National 2019 (Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney)
•Tarrawarra Biennial 2023 (Tarrawarra Museum of Art, Victoria)

With a growing body of work that continues to challenge and captivate audiences, Abdul-Rahman has become one of Australia’s most recognised contemporary artists.

A Full-Circle Moment: From Childhood Inspiration to Artistic Collaboration

This collaboration was particularly meaningful to us on a personal level. As a young girl, I (Alex) had the privilege of meeting Abdul-Rahman Abdullah in the early 2000s, when he was working alongside various artists on projects for the Perth Zoo, as well as on numerous film and television sets. Even then, his attention to detail and dedication to his craft were undeniable.

Fast forward to 2024, and Abdul-Rahman reached out to us once again as U RESIN —this time with his vision for Shelter. He knew that Jesmonite AC100 would be the perfect material to bring his intricate sculptures to life, and we were absolutely thrilled to support his process, providing the best products and guidance to ensure that his vision became a reality. It’s been truly inspiring to watch his career flourish over the years, and we couldn’t be prouder to have played a small part in this stunning exhibition.

Why Jesmonite AC100 Was the Perfect Choice for ‘Flock’:

For Abdul-Rahman’s Flock installation, achieving realistic textures, durability, and precision was essential. That’s where Jesmonite AC100 came in.

Key Benefits of Jesmonite AC100 for This Project:

✅ Lightweight & Durable – Perfect for large-scale sculptures that need to be moved or suspended effortlessly.
✅ Exceptional Detail Replication – Captures fine details for an ultra-realistic finish.
✅ Versatile & Easy to Paint – Provides a smooth, natural base for hand-painting intricate details.
✅ Eco-Friendly & Safe – Solvent-free and non-toxic, making it an artist-friendly alternative to traditional resins.

And the result? A stunningly lifelike flock of seagulls that capture the delicate beauty of nature while carrying deeper artistic symbolism.

An Exhibition to Remember – Tilt 2024 is not just an art exhibition—it’s an experience that invites audiences to reflect on shelter, migration, and belonging. Abdul-Rahman Abdullah and Anna Louise Richardson created a space that is both visually breathtaking and emotionally resonant, and it was an honour to witness the unveiling of their masterpiece.

We hope that anyone that had the opportunity to witness the Shelter exhibition in person, loved it as much as we did.  Whilst the Shelter exhibition has officially closed, we do highly recommend anyone in the Western Australian region, to visit ‘Tilt’. This is a year round exhibition featuring a huge selection of Artists’ and the other incredible installations firsthand. We invite you to immerse yourself in a truly captivating artistic journey.

For more information about Abdul-Rahman Abdullah’s work, you can follow him on Instagram: @abdul_rahman_abdullah.

We extend a huge thank you to Abdul-Rahman Abdullah for choosing to work with us at U RESIN with Jesmonite to bring his creative vision to life. It’s collaborations like these that remind us why we’re so passionate about providing artists with the best materials to express their creativity. If you’re an artist looking for high-quality casting materials, check out the range of Jesmonite products and other professional-grade supplies we manufacture and supply to bring your own visions to life and unleash the artist within. Until next time, happy creating! ✨