FROM 13 SEPT–14 DEC 2025 | A new exhibition by Afghan-born artist Narges Mohammadi is set to open this September at Brutus. Her installation explores memory, poverty and resilience through a deeply personal lens.
Narges Mohammadi returns to her roots in solo exhibition at Brutus
The Rotterdam art space Brutus will host a solo exhibition by artist Narges Mohammadi from 13 September to 14 December 2025. Titled Er kraait geen haan naar, the show features a site-specific installation exploring childhood memories, economic insecurity and the resilience of the human spirit.
Exploring the poetics of memory and poverty
Mohammadi, born in Kabul in 1993, revisits spaces from her early youth in a large-scale installation specially developed for Brutus' underground Barbarella space. The work incorporates sculptural elements crafted from sand and alabaster, alongside enlarged family photographs recreated in clay. These are set against the recurring sound of a ticking sewing machine—both ominous and comforting.
The exhibition considers the layered meaning of ‘home’—not as a fixed structure, but as something shaped by memory, presence and absence. By hollowing out alabaster from within until it becomes almost transparent, Mohammadi employs a sculptural technique that also functions as a metaphor: the way poverty can erode individuals quietly, from the inside out.
About the artist
Narges Mohammadi studied art history in Utrecht and visual arts at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague. Her work has previously been recognised with awards such as the Volkskrant Visual Art Prize (2024) and the Stokroos Sculpture Prize (2022). In 2025, she also designed Rotterdam's monument against femicide, unveiled on International Women’s Day.
Brutus as a platform for artistic freedom
Brutus, located in a former port complex in Rotterdam-West, is known for offering artists room to experiment. With over 6,000 m² of raw industrial space, it supports a wide range of contemporary art forms. The venue continues to be a space where established and emerging artists can create without conventional constraints.
Location and directions
The exhibition Er kraait geen haan naar takes place at Brutus Space, Keileweg 10-B in Rotterdam. The area, part of the Keilekwartier in Rotterdam-West, is known for its creative and industrial character, housing studios, cultural events, and food spaces. The venue is easily accessible by bike, tram, or car.
