Open Up with Sahej Rahal

Our Head of Arts, Chelsea Pettitt, talks to artist Sahej Rahal through the Open Up series.

Premiering at 3pm BST on Friday 7 August, we ask some probing questions to Sahej such as, ‘If you could be remembered for one thing what would it be?’ and ‘What are you most afraid of?’. Through these questions we explore what drives him, inspires him, terrifies him; and ultimately what is most important to him. Living through this incredible period of history, we want to take stock and ask artists to open up to us through this interview series.

Biography

Sahej Rahal is primarily a storyteller. His sculptures, performances, films, paintings, installations, and AI programs, narrate an absurd counter-mythology that interrogates the narratives that shape our present. This myth-world draws upon archaeological records, conspiracies, science-fiction, and folklore, orchestrating scenarios where indeterminate beings cohabit the porous boundaries of history, myth and memory.

Rahal’s participation in institutional solo and group exhibitions internationally have included ACCA Melbourne 2019, Vancouver Biennale 2019, Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Mumbai, 2018, Midlands Art Centre, Birmingham UK, 2018; Centre for Contemporary Arts Glasgow, 2017; PRIMARY Nottingham, UK 2017; the Liverpool Biennial, 2016; Setouchi Triennial, 2016; Jewish Museum, New York, 2015; Kochi Muziris Biennale, 2014; MACRO Museum, Rome, 2014. His work has been exhibited at Galleria Continua, Les Moulins, France, 2014 and Art Stage Singapore, 2014.  His most recent solo exhibition took place in 2019 at Chatterjee & Lal, Mumbai. He is a recipient of the INLAKS emerging artist award 2012; the IFA Critical Arts Practice grant 2014; the Forbes India Art Award, 2014, for best debut show for his solo exhibition ‘Forerunner’ at Chatterjee & Lal; Mumbai; the Cove Park/Henry Moore Fellowship, 2017, Akademie Schloss Solitude Fellowship 2018, and most recently the Sher-Gil Sundaram Arts Foundation Installation Art Grant, 2019.