Ahmed Umar: Glowing Phalanges | 05.06 - 01.08.2026
Copyright the artist. Courtesy Holtermann Fine Art. Photo: Phil Macdonald
Holtermann Fine Art is delighted to present Glowing Phalanges, a solo exhibition by Ahmed Umar. Glowing Phalanges forms part of Umar’s ongoing project Forbidden Prayers, a body of work he has been developing since 2018. The exhibition presents a series of sculptural works in glass and mixed media; each held in acrylic casts of the artist’s right hand.
Glowing Phalanges emerges from Umar’s experience of growing up between two Islamic traditions: Sufism in Sudan, where his family originates and Wahhabism in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, where he was raised. While both are branches of Islam, their approaches to devotional practice differ significantly. Sufi traditions embrace the use of prayer beads and amulets, whereas Wahhabism forbids such objects, instead favouring the counting of prayers on the phalanges of the right hand. According to Umar’s education, the phalanges will glow on Judgement Day as a sign of devotion, giving rise to the exhibition’s title.
Previous iterations of the project have been exhibited at Kunstmuseum Stuttgart, Germany (2025–26); OSL Contemporary, Norway (2024); Bergen Kunsthall, Norway (2023–24); Kunstnernes Hus, Norway (2023). Umar’s work was included in Venice Biennale (2024) and Toronto Biennale (2024). Umar was awarded the Baloise Prize at Art Basel, Basel (2024).
An exhibition text by Dr Jon Wood accompanies the show.
Press Release →
Exhibition Text →
Opening to coincide with London Gallery Weekend
With special events:
Reception in the presence of the artist
Thursday 4th June 18:00 – 20:00 In-conversation with the artist Friday 5th June at 18:00
London Gallery Weekend opening hours:
Friday 5th June 11:00 – 20:00
Saturday 6th June 11:00 – 18:00
Sunday 7th June 12:00-17:00
About the artist
Ahmed Umar (b. 1988, Sudan) is a cross-disciplinary artist living and working in Oslo. He received his MFA degree in medium- and material-based art from the Oslo National Academy of the Arts in 2016. Through his art, Umar has also been an important front figure for queer persons with Muslim backgrounds in Norway and Sudan.
His artistic practice highlights questions regarding identity, religion, and cultural values through different modes of artistic expression. He uses personal experiences as tools to convey narratives not only about suppression and alienation, but also about liberation and owning one’s own history.
In 2023, Umar presented solo exhibitions at Kunstnernes Hus and Bergen Kunsthall in Norway. He was also nominated for the Lorck Schive Kunstpris at Trondheim Kunstmuseum. In 2024, Umar participated in the Venice Biennale and was the recipient of the Baloise Art Prize in the Statements sector at Art Basel. He presented his video work ‘Truth Bears No Scandal’ at the Toronto Biennial of Art. In 2025, he presented his solo exhibition at Museo Universitario del Chopo, Mexico, and is currently part of a group exhibition at Borås Konstmuseum, Sweden. In November 2025, Umar opened an extensive solo exhibition Ingraining and Unfolding at Kunstmuseum Stuttgart, Germany.
Umar is part of several collections including The National Museum of Norway, KODE Museum in Bergen, Kistefos Museum, Museum MMK Für Moderne Kunst Frankfurt, Stuttgart Art Museum, Kunstsilo in Kristiansand.