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All images are provided by Sapar Contemporary and shared with permission

Azerbaijani artist Faig Ahmed (previously) has accumulated an amazing archive of sculptural carpets, blurring the boundaries between digital distortion and traditional craftsmanship. His fringed rugs are usually large in scale, with classic and gorgeous patterns woven on them, and then rolled into a pile of glitches and skewed patterns.

Ahmed weaves conceptual and historical relevance into his most recent trio, which will be displayed as part of his solo exhibition PIR at the Sapar Contemporary Art Exhibition in New York, which will last until January 6, 2022 . Each piece is named after a spiritual leader who has profoundly influenced Azerbaijani culture, including Shams Tabrizi, Yahya al-Shirvani al-Bakuvi and Nizami Ganjavi. For example, the carpet inspired by Tabrizi, Rumi’s tutor, “gradually dissolves into a black void space, like the final stage of a mystic’s spiritual journey: in the divine existence, like the flame of a candle in front of the sun.”

Visit Ahmed's website to view behind-the-scenes photos of his production process and explore more of his fiber sculptures.

"Nizami Ganjavi" (2021), handmade woolen carpet

Detail of "Nizami Ganjavi" (2021), handmade wool rug

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