Yto Barrada

Yto Barrada's artistic practice is a captivating exploration of cultural phenomena and historical narratives, spanning a range of mediums and subjects. Through multidisciplinary investigations, Barrada delves into the performative nature of archival practices and public interventions, offering reinterpretations of social relationships and unveiling subaltern histories.

Biography of Yto Barrada

Yto Barrada was born in 1971 in Paris, France. Her journey into the world of art was shaped by her studies in history and political science, providing a rich foundation for her nuanced approach to storytelling. Her acclaimed series of photographs, "A Life Full of Holes" (1998–2004), scrutinized the Strait of Gibraltar as a symbol of border dynamics between North Africa and Europe, shedding light on its profound impact on the residents of Tangier.

Borderlands, microhistories, and autonomous agency within political landscapes have become focal points of Barrada's work. In 2006, she established the Cinémathèque de Tanger, North Africa's inaugural repertory cinema and archive housed in the historic Cinema Rif, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and exchange in Tangier.

Continuing her exploration of identity and cultural production, Barrada's exhibition "Faux Guide" (2015) at Pace in London delved into the fossil and mineral trade. Her subsequent exhibition at Pace in New York, "How to Do Nothing with Nobody All Alone by Yourself" (2018), offered a comprehensive survey of her practice, featuring the thought-provoking installation and film essay "Tree Identification for Beginners."

Informed by postcolonial thought and socio-political concerns, Barrada's interests span a diverse array of topics, from borders and immigration to urban landscapes and paleontology. Her practice encompasses photography, film, sculpture, painting, printmaking, and publishing, often incorporating found objects into her installations.

Barrada's work has been showcased in prestigious institutions worldwide, including the Tate Modern in London, The Museum of Modern Art in New York, and the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam. She has received numerous accolades, including the Deutsche Guggenheim Artist of the Year award (2011) and the Abraaj Group Art Prize (2015), solidifying her status as a leading figure in contemporary art.