Enclosed

Although produced in the aftermath of the curfew, ​Enclosed emerged from a period of deep reflection. This showcase, keeping in theme with his sombre, monochromatic style, speaks of a close understanding of subject matter and choice of material. The artist attempts to develop the nuance between life and death, particularly in terms of how objects and spaces embody a constant shift between absence and presence. The title ​Enclosed ​is derived both from the experience of being confined as a carer, and to being confined by the pandemic. In addition to this, the artist found a transformative solace in the metaphorical connection between the birdcages and his own house. The birds themselves were going through a cycle of depression, self harm - by plucking their own feathers - and depriving themselves of sleep. Firi’s own emotional trajectory similarly moved from a grave sadness and vulnerability to an acceptance of this ‘new normal’ in a pandemic-ridden world.

Perhaps this refers to hope and faith in the afterlife, where the artist’s memories of his loved ones attain a sense of closure. A silhouette of a bird inhabits a cage, its memory present as much as anything else that may take its place.