British-Bengali artist Mohammed Z. Rahman presents a seemingly simple installation – a bed with a human-sized form carved out in the middle. There, a bed of soil has sprouts shooting up. Yet complex socio-political and personal histories lie beneath the work unveiled by Phillida Reid at Art Basel Hong Kong. Awake (2024) is representative of with Rahmen’s practice, which aims to make natural spaces more accessible to diverse communities, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity in environmental conservation. Awake serves as a physical representation of nature, rest, and dreams and as a commentary on human-plant kinship, as well as the intersections of ecology, labor, and leisure. 

The textiles seen on the bed and that create the sleeping costume worn by the artist are also part of the artist’s personal history – and examplify his long interest in textiles. Rahman’s mother was a textile worker, and his friend, designer Keith Paulys, created the bedsheets and costume for the installation. 

Mohammed Z. Rahman, Awake (2024), is presented in Art Basel Hong Kong’s Discoveries sector by Phillida Reid (London).