Abdul Abdullah is an emerging Australian Muslim artist who is focused on the ideas of culture, hybridity and lack of belonging. In Homeland, one of his photographic series, and many of his other artworks, Abdullah challenges the idea that you can be Australian and Muslim at the same time, they don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Abdullah uses juxtaposition and irony to also challenge the nationalist Australian attitudes that have sparked due to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre that occurred in 2001. He uses clothing and props, lighting and symbols to create his work and effectively make his audience think about what he is showing.

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In one of Abdullah’s recent series ‘Homeland’ 2013, he uses ironic juxtaposition in many of the photographs in order to challenge the Australian nationalist. This is shown in ‘Self portrait of an ultranationalist’ where the main subject is Abdullah, he is wearing a singlet, facemask and is bearing the Australian flag on his shoulders. On the singlet there is text that says “Fuck off, We’re Full.” The irony in this is that while he himself seems to be ‘unaustralian’ he is wearing the Australian flag patriotically and ‘supporting’ the nationalist’s opinion with the singlet.

 

The lighting used in this photo is very minimalistic and is more focused on casting shadows and creating a hostile, dark and gloomy atmosphere, it also accentuates his clenched fists and flexed muscles ‘ready to fight’. This portrays extreme aggression, hostility and anger when combined with a piercing stare that makes the audience uncomfortable.

 

In another one of his photographs in ‘Homeland’ Abdullah is posing with his brother, shirtless, revealing their tattoos on their bodies. This photo is titled “Them and Us”. Abdullah has a tattoo drawn on him that is an iconic Australian symbol, the Southern Cross. Juxtaposing this, in the middle of the cross, he has replaced one of the stars with an iconic Muslim sign/symbol, the Crescent Moon. The title of this image also communicates 'division' and separation of the Australian and Muslim communities.