Abdul-Rahman Abdullah lives on Binjareb Nyungar Country, on a cattle farm in the Peel region of Western Australia. Working primarily in sculpture and installation, his practice explores the intersections of identity, culture, and the natural world. Living and working in an agricultural environment, he offers alternative perspectives across diverse and often disparate communities.
Through his distinct sense of identity and cultural context, Abdullah’s work enacts intersectional understandings of shared worlds, exploring ideas of mythology, intercultural identity, diaspora, regional experiences, and spirituality. Underpinning his approach to art-making is the living connectivity of family.
Abdullah holds a Bachelor of Arts from Curtin University (2012) and has presented works extensively across Australia as well as internationally. Presentations include Undying, Chau Chak Wing Museum, Sydney, Australia (2026); Awakening Histories, Perth Festival, Perth Institute of Contemporary Art, Perth, Australia (2026); Journeys, Linden New Art, Melbourne, Australia (2023); Uchiboso Art Festival, curated by Fram Kitagawa, Chiba, Japan (2024); Spot the Difference, curated by Toby Chapman, Lewers (Penrith Regional Gallery), New South Wales, Australia (2024); TarraWarra Biennial, curated by Leuli Eshraghi, TarraWarra Museum of Art, Healesville, Victoria, Australia (2023); Free State: The Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art, curated by Sebastian Goldspink, Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA), Adelaide, Australia (2022); Land Abounds, curated by Megan Monte, Ngununggula, Bowral, New South Wales, Australia (2022); Diaspora Pavilion 2: I Am a Beating Heart, curated by Mikala Tai, Campbelltown Arts Centre, Sydney, Australia (2021); The View from Here, curated by Ian Strange and Robert Cook, Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth, Australia (2021); The National, curated by Anna Davis and Clothilde Bullen, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Sydney, Australia (2019).
Abdullah has held positions as a board member for the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA) (2017–2021), the National Gallery of Australia (2023–24); set designer for Marrugeku (2019–ongoing); and recently completed a fellowship with Regional Arts Australia (2024–25).
Abdullah’s works are held in collections across Australia, including the Art Gallery of Western Australia, Newcastle Art Gallery, The University of Western Australia, Islamic Museum of Australia, Murdoch University, La Trobe University, Curtin University, City of Campbelltown, City of Broken Hill, City of Bendigo, City of Armadale, City of Joondalup, Wesfarmers Arts, and Artbank.