Artist Statement
Kaniez Abdi's speciality lies in creating cutting-edge textiles that immediately transform any interior space - large or domestic in scale, contemporary or classic.
Highly experimental and accomplished in approach, she uses a wide range of techniques including hand sewing, machine embroidery, beading, bonding, heating, dyeing, painting and digital printing.
Kaniez produces innovative textile pieces which encompass Objects d'art, Lampshades, Wall Lighting, Digital Prints, Glass, Furniture, Cushions and Soft Furnishings.
Kaniez commented, “I create textiles to be more like couture - exquisitely constructed and one-off. They are often made from unconventional materials and a plethora of construction methods which together create a luxurious, fashion-forward look and feel.”
CV & Education
Qualifications and training
1998 - MA Constructed Textiles, The Royal College of Art, London
1996 - BA (Hons) Design Crafts, Cumbria School of Art, Carlisle
1994 - HND Design Crafts, Norwich School of Art, Great Yarmouth
Solo exhibitions
2009 - Pulse, Earls Court, London
2006 - Moody Blue, Embankment Tube Station, London
Group exhibitions
2009 - Salone Satellite, Cosmit spa Foro Buonaparte 65 20121 Milano Italy, Milan
2008 - Torinover, Piazza della Repubblica 25, Torino
2007 - Deepp, Dynamo Bar, , Milan
2007 - Deepp Exhibition, Light Gallery, London
2007 - Maison de objet, British European Design Group, Paris
2007 - Pulse Tradeshow, Earls Court, London
2007 - Trattoria Toscana, Trattoria Toscana, Milan
2007 - Vivaio , sorelle Riva, Milan
2006 - Natural lines, Knightbridge Tube Station, London
2004 - Donna Karen 'Apples and New York', London
2002 - Excuslet, St Augustines Church, London
Private commissions
2011 - Adrienne Chinn Design Co Ltd, Hotel Chain, London
2011 - Conglomerate LTD, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Corporate commissions
2011 - Digital Print Artwork, Hotel Chain, London
2008 - 5 Digtal Works, House , Paris
2008 - Grey Trees, Hotel, Manchester
2007 - Triptic of trees, Churchill hotel, London
2007 - Visual Edge International, Refurbishment for indian restaurant, Staffordshire
2006 - 12 Pieces for luxury apartment, Dartmoor
2006 - Corn, Fox Linton, City Cafe Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
2006 - Trees, MC ART, Show Flats, London
2005 - Five digital prints for hotel, Southampton Hotel, Southampton
2005 - Two large pieces for hotel refurbishment, Churchill Hotel, London
Projects
2009 - Kontextur Shower Curtains in collaboration with Kaniez Abdi, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center (11th Avenue at 38th Street) New York City, New York
Competitions, prizes and awards
2009 - Best Textiles, Fashion, Jewellery or Fashion Accessories 2009, Hidden Art, London
2008 - Short-Listed for the Wesley-Barrell Craft Awards 2008 , Wesley-Barrell Shop, London, London
1997 - Winner of Best Town Wedding Hat for Kangol, The Royal College, South Kensington