Faig Ahmed
1982– · Azerbaijani visual artist who turns traditional rugs into surrealist textiles
Faig Ahmed (born 1982 in Sumqayit, Azerbaijan) is a contemporary Azerbaijani visual artist best known for his surrealist woven works, in which visual distortions are integrated into traditional oriental rugs. He graduated from the sculpture programme at the Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Arts in Baku in 2004. Although he has also worked in sculpture, video and installation, his most recognisable works are his sculptural rugs, which apply optical illusions, often psychedelic in character, such as warping, glitching, melting, pixelation and unravelling.
The textiles are made by a group of skilled weavers who follow his designs and pay close attention to traditional Azerbaijani weaving techniques. His work was included in Azerbaijan's first pavilion at the Venice Biennale, and he took part in the exhibition "Love Me, Love Me Not" in 2013 and the 11th Mercosul Visual Arts Biennial in 2018. In 2013 he was also nominated for the Jameel Prize at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
His works have been shown worldwide, in cities across Europe, Asia, the Americas and Australia, and are held in public collections such as the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Art Institute of Chicago, as well as in private collections. His legacy lies in bringing the traditional rug into contemporary art while preserving its craft tradition.