Adam Farah (b. 1991, London, UK) – sometimes known as free.yard – is an artist, composer and sauce-maker. They are also a Capricorn Sun, Leo Moon and Cancer Rising. Farah's exhibition at Camden Art Centre is a presentation of visual and sensory moments from their journey through the chaotic depths of heartache, trauma, desires and spiritual voyaging – navigating these against the backdrop of the rapidly mutating city in which they grew up.
“Recently a friend described what I do as ‘soul work’. Although the term is broad and manifests it’s meaning through different contexts, it reminded me that there has been this underlying natural reaction within my creative endeavours, to counteract the coldness and sterility that permeated the context of my art school experience in the 2010’s – at the height of the post-internet art moment; typified by reductive and uncritical forms of irony. A ‘coldness’ which may find its roots in the colonial legacies that permeate much of the Western art canon and it’s ever-present influence on aesthetic and critical practices. Therefore, through the use of any medium, be it moving image, sculpture, poppers, peppers, iPods, walking, cruising, micro-dosing – my work may speak to seemingly disparate contexts – from my parents’ relationship to the impact of Mariah Carey on my thinking, to the influence of specific technological devices on my adolescence. Ultimately though, it’s a call out, for human connection – through vulnerability, reminiscing/reflecting, spiritual criticality – something like that.” – Adam Farah
Farah is one of two artists resident at Metroland Studio in Kilburn, as part of a new partnership between Camden Art Centre and Metroland Cultures, the charity established to deliver Brent’s year as London Borough of Culture and its legacy beyond 2020. Each artist is provided with a 6-month offsite residency and space at Metroland Studio preceding an exhibition of their work at Camden Art Centre.
Generously supported by Ben Rawlingson-Plant and by Metroland Cultures in partnership with Brent Council, with funding form Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
