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Rana Begum, Naila Art Collection
About the Artist
Rana Begum (b.1977, Sylhet, Bangladesh) is an artist whose work explores the relationship between sculpture, painting and installation, and the interplay of light and colour. She moved from Bangladesh to Hertfordshire, England in 1983 and graduated with an MA in painting from the Slade school of Fine Art, London in 2002.
Begum’s geometric patterns are inspired by traditional Islamic art and architecture, as well as the urban cityscape of London. At first, Begum’s artwork was representational, but her focus shifted to abstract forms, investigating line, colour, and light.
Begum’s approach lies in her fascination with the connection between art and its surrounding environment, which is reflected in the international projects she undertakes. During her residency in Bangkok (2006), she first used reflectors and moved into the 3-dimensional space. In 2016, Rana Begum won the prestigious Abraaj Group Art Prize (2017). Most recently, Begum participated in Desert X, 2023 with a site-specific installation at Coachella Valley.
Begum’s Mesh series presents a collection of ethereal sculptures. Her exhibition Dappled Light at Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery (2022) showcased No. 1081 Mesh (2021), beneath the domed glass ceiling, filtering the outside light onto spectators. At Alserkal’s Concrete space in Dubai, Begum installed a monumental Dappled Light (2023) creating a dialogue of organic and colourful forms that contrast with OMA’s concrete architecture.
Image: Rana Begum in Front of No. 1081 Mesh 2021
© Begum Studio/ Photo: Angus Mil
IN THE COLLECTION
Rana Begum, “No. 1217 Mesh”, 2022
Powder coated galvanised mild steel (11 shapes), 140 x 130 x 120 cm
Courtesy the artist and Kate McGarry
Begum’s Mesh works are a series of sculptural installations made from coloured fishnets, reflecting her multi-dimensional approach to art. She begins by applying layers of paint to the mesh, and then starts to experiment with its form, turning them into organic shapes which filter light and create prisms of colour. As the shapes become bigger and bigger, she uses skylights in her studio to experiment with natural light spilling onto these shapes. They appear as floating clouds, rock formations, or crumpled paper, depending on your perspective.
With “No. 1217 Mesh”, Begum continues to push the boundaries of abstraction, creating a captivating work that immerses the viewer and engages with the environment. Oscillating between static and movement, the work invites the reflection of those who experience it.