Her practice explores the sobering realities of the political conditions, bureaucracy, and urban infrastructure in Asia, exposing the absurdities emerging from the dysfunctionalities of everyday life. The Artist Who is the first monograph to look at the work of this Berlin-based Pakistani artist. Envisioned as an artist project, the publication explores notions of humor, playfulness and experimentation by engaging with forms of writing, design, printing, and assembly. Containing a documentation of artworks created over two decades as well as archival material and a rich selection of texts, it represents the wide range of relationships Abidi has fostered during this period.
About the Artist
BANI ABIDI (*1971, Karachi) studied visual art in Lahore and Chicago. Encompassing video, photography and performance, Abidi’s practice draws on everyday as well as historical events to explore issues of nationalism and state power. Solo shows have taken place at Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago and Gropius Bau, Berlin, amongst others; group shows include the 8th Berlin Biennial, Guggenheim Museum, New York, documenta 13, Kassel. Abidi lives and works between Berlin and Karachi.
About the Publisher
Hatje Cantz is an international publisher of illustrated books on art, architecture, photography, design, and visual culture, founded by Gerd Hatje in Stuttgart in 1945. Since its inception, Hatje Cantz has been developing and publishing illustrated books with a special focus on quality, both in terms of content and production.
