Author Description

This richly illustrated volume explores the multiple and evolving meanings of diaspora, its condition, and its experiences as expressed through painting. Relations brings together artists who address questions of diaspora from diverse perspectives, methodologies, and aesthetic languages. With its own deep and complex history, painting becomes a particularly provocative lens through which to explore the complications and diversities that are analogous to the richness and wide range of diasporic experiences. Relations is produced alongside a group show organized at the Phi Foundation for Contemporary Art in Montreal, Canada. The volume includes full-color reproductions of these artist's works and is enriched by installation views of the exhibition, as well as texts by the curator and an interdisciplinary collection of writers who explore the practices of each artist. Relations includes work from artists such as Larry Achiampong, Hurvid Anderson, Kamrooz Aram, Firelei Baez, Moridja Kitenge Banza, Frank Bowling, Lubaina Himid, Bharti Kher, Rick Leong, Manuel Mathieu, Jordan Nassar, Yoko Ono, Maia Cruz Palileo, Rajni Perera, Jessica Sabogal, Curtis Talwst Santiago, Marigold Santos, Yinka Shonibare CBE, Shanna Strauss, Salman Toor, Hajra Waheed, and Jinny Yu. The exhibition premiered at Foundation Phi from July 8 until December 7, 2020, and will tour to Esker Foundation in Calgary Alberta from May 29 through to August 29, 2021.