Dive Into The Work Of An Artist Shaking The NY Scene Since The 90s

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Book cover of Wangechi Mutu monograph published by Phaidon

Three sculptures by Wangechi Mutu

Phaidon’s newly released, in-depth monograph on the multidisciplinary practice of New York-based Kenyan artist Wangechi Mutu is full of thought-provoking visuals and critique. Throughout a prolific career defined as both an African Futurist and Afrofuturist artist, Mutu’s use of collage, painting, immersive installation, live and video performance has allowed her to subvert recognizable imagery in critical transfigurations that address gender, race and colonialization.

A fixture of the New York art scene since the 1990s, Mutu notably gained acclaim for the 2006 installation entitled Exhuming Gluttony: A Lover’s Requiem. Developed with architect David Adjaye, the piece consisted of transforming the Upper East Side townhouse of gallery Salon 94 into a subterranean dinner party.

Her work has since been featured at London’s Victoria Miro Gallery, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris and at the 56th Venice Biennale, among many other prominent institutions and events.

PHOTOS: COURTESY PHAIDON