Salman Dirir. Photo: Jesse Blom Salman Dirir
Salman Dirir is a multidisciplinary artist and filmmaker based in the Netherlands, with Somali and Djiboutian heritage. He was born and raised in Eindhoven and has a background in audiovisual production, having studied at Sint Lucas College and the St. Joost School of Art & Design. His work spans various forms of artistic expression, including filmmaking, dance, music, and visual arts, and often explores themes related to biculturality, identity, and the immigrant experience.
Dirir is known for combining surrealism and expressionism in his artistic approach, using feeling and intuition as key drivers in his creative process. His projects, such as the short films Caadi and RUUN, explore complex cultural narratives, often inspired by his Somali heritage. His ongoing work, RUUN, investigates indigenous Somali culture and the nuances of collective identity through field research in Somaliland.
In addition to his artistic practice, Salman Dirir is actively involved in education, teaching dance and working as a museum docent in Eindhoven. He is also engaged in various research-based and collaborative projects that delve into the Somali diaspora and cultural preservation. He is a contributor to the ongoing research project, The Anarchist Citizenship: People Made of Stories, on show at Framer Framed from 27 October 2024 until 26 January 2025.
Exhibitions
