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Rising Fashion Photographer Fadli Rahman Opens First Solo Exhibition

Posted by Shah Salimat on September 7, 2011 · 2 Comments 

Fadli Rahman is one fashion photographer who’s in it to win it.

His gung-ho spirit is seen in his affable nature as he boisterously greets guests and close friends during his exhibition, creepers and leggings in tow. Fadli definitely has something to be happy about: after a heady rise in the fashion industry where he has shot for magazines such as Privé Asia and Oxygen Magazine, the stylist-photographer-all around fashionphile has launched his very first solo exhibition chronicling his work and some exclusive shots for the exhibit.

And he’s only 20 years old.

(I’m 19 and I can’t even tell the difference between aperture and – oh, never mind.)

Located at LASALLE’s TriSpace, “…And God Created Man” embodies the devil-may-care aesthetic that Fadli brings to his work: shocking and provocative, challenging societal norms and gender typification.

The exhibition’s four parts illustrate the running theme of female dominance and male subservience, turning the tables on the chauvinism we see plaguing the boardrooms and social circles. What if women indeed ruled the world from the get-go? Judging by Fadli’s photos, she’d go easy on his clothing and play up the skin factor, show the world her man’s bodily assets and jump in the frame once in a while to show who he should be lusting after.

Sounds a lot like how women are treated nowadays as subjects of images? We thought so too.

The first section plays up the slave-master relationship between man and woman: while the female model stands her ground and appears strong and present, the male model is bare naked writhing around the female, as if silently begging to get back the clothes that she threw away (really, Cotton On doesn’t fit that fine frame of yours, hun).

Fadli’s diploma project forms the second section, where he shoots KTZ’s 2011 pre autumn/winter collection. It’s evident Fadli knows how to light up the frame: KTZ’s quirky pieces with clashing ethnic prints, neon colours and haphazard layering come to life (and then some) with models posing in various states of flight and frolic and out-of-this-world face-painted motifs. It’s not just a fantasy: it’s a living, breathing acid trip.

Capping Fadli’s photography work, the exhibition’s third section encapuslates pictures exploring the manipulation of forms as the male subjects are clearly distorted: he has to look sultry, he has to bare his shoulders, he has to pout, he has to tousle his hair – heck, he even has to appear in kaleidoscopic visions. The female subjects look like mere accessories to the hot-ticket item: she looks beautiful, but that doesn’t contend with the guys.

The final section showcases a fashion film for the KTZ shoot. Titled “Visage”, the film smells like teenage spirit (pun unintended). The models have a knack for balancing couture poses with fun movement, while keeping that cheeky smile on their faces. Again, the guys are seen in various states of undress while the girls use their stature and swagger to good effect. The clothes do speak more when placed in a more dynamic medium such as video. We couldn’t help but feel the fun too.

“…And God Created Man” runs till 22 September. Read our exclusive interview with Fadli Rahman coming up soon (transcribing’s a pain in the arse).

Thanks to Fadli, Randolph & Runway Addict! Popspoken is proud to be the Official Online Media for “…And God Created Man”.