Biography
Abdul Halik Azeez’s work reflects on technologies of power as mediated through contemporary culture, narratives of progress, lived experiences and media. His multidisciplinary practice is predominantly concerned with post-war transformations that have impacted Sri Lanka, the effects of gentrification and renewed ultranationalist politics that has seen new forms of discrimination and violence against the country’s minorities.
Azeez is the co-founder of The Packet (2019), a collective that brings together visual artists, writers, poets, theorists and musicians to engage in a community of play and conversation.
Azeez’s work has been featured in solo exhibitions at Saskia Fernando Gallery in Colombo (2021 and 2014). He has also participated in group exhibitions at the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Colombo (2022); Colomboscope (2022, 2019 and 2015); Asia Art Biennale, Taiwan (2021); Ishara Art Foundation, Dubai (2021 and 2019); Karachi Biennale (2019); Edinburgh Festival Fringe (2017); The Art Foundation, Athens (2017); and Colombo Art Biennale (2016), among others.
Azeez has taken part in several residencies, including Net//Work Digital Art Residency, Wysing Arts Centre, UK (2021); Re-imagining the Family Portrait, Chennai Photo Biennale (2019); and Verzasca Foto Residency, Switzerland (2019).
He has also received grants from Pro Helvetia for his two projects, Wet Lands and Instigating Collaborative Study, among other academic grants and awards.
Azeez holds an MA in both English Literature and Linguistics from the University of Granada (2017) and an MA in Financial Economics from the University of Colombo (2011). He has also completed his BBA in International Business and Management from Northwood University (2009).
Born in 1985 in Nawalapitiya, Sri Lanka, Azeez lives and works in Colombo.