09 Sep Episode 3: Abdul Abdullah
Episode 3
Join us in The Art Room as we chat with Abdul Abdullah about his art practice, living and making art in Bangkok, the symbolism of cats and horses, and the value of art education.
In this episode, Abdul discusses his unexpected appointment as a judge on Portrait Artist of the Year, his life and practice in Bangkok, his role as a creative director and manager in his studio, the use of text, humour, symbolism and recontextualization in his artworks. Abdul recalls growing up in a creative family and being supported through a specialist school art program by an influential art teacher. Abdul is passionate about the value of art education. He argues that art develops autonomy, belonging, competence, creative thinking and wellbeing—even for students who do not become professional artists—and strongly encourages interested students to continue studying art.
About Abdul Abdullah
Abdul Abdullah (born 1986, Perth WA), works across painting, photography, installation, and performance. Abdul can now also add judge on the ABC’s Portrait Artist of the Year TV show, to his impressive practice. Abdul’s internationally recognised work explores identity, belonging, power, and the experience of being perceived as an outsider.
Abdul’s practice challenges the audience to confront Australian identity and stereotypes around race and religion. His work opens broader social conversations. His artworks have become some of the most thought-provoking contributions to contemporary Australian art. Queensland Art Teachers Association first brought Abdul to Brisbane as the keynote speaker at the 2019 conference and his work is often discussed and responded to in secondary classrooms.
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Episode highlights
Text, humour and recontextualisation
Abdul discusses using short phrases, motivational language and visual imagery together to produce double meanings, humour and new interpretations. He talks about the phrase Have a go. Find out more about these works:
Art history and the Cronulla riots
Abdullah explains how neoclassical history painting inspired his theatrical restaging of violent moments from the 2005 Cronulla riots. The works focus on racism, xenophobia, perpetrators and the continuing relevance of this history.
Cats, horses and contested ownership
In the new paintings at Sydney Contemporary 2026, cats are paired with museum objects of disputed provenance, prompting questions about ownership, possession and restitution.
Abdul’s show, Witness at Ames Yavuz in 2024 explored cats and horses and how they can take on human traits
The value of art education
Abdul argues that art develops autonomy, belonging, competence, creative thinking and wellbeing—even for students who do not become professional artists—and strongly encourages interested students to continue studying it. [Autonomy, belonging and competence are based in Self-determination theory (SDT) which posits that people are driven by three innate and universal psychological needs, and that personal well-being is a direct function of the satisfaction of these basic psychological needs.]
Useful links to learn more about…
Abdul’s work:
- Ames Yavuz gallery
- MCA
- QAGOMA
- Abdul’s early performance work, The Greater Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere
Abdul’s influences:
- Art gallery of NSW, The art that made me
- QAGOMA
- The Cronulla Riots
Other artists mentioned in the podcast
- Casey Ayres
- Nathan Beard
- Jacques-Louis David (1748 –1825) was a French painter in the Neoclassical style, considered to be the preeminent painter of the era.
- Giambattista Tiepolo (1696- 1770), an Italian painter who lived in Germany and then Spain, painted The Banquet of Cleopatra in 1743-1744.
- Juan Davila (born 1946, Santiago, Chile. Lives and works in Melbourne)
- Jenny Saville (born 7 May 1970) is an English figurative painter