Published in conjunction with the first North American survey of the work of Jimmie Durham, this beautifully illustrated catalogue explores Durham’s vital contributions to contemporary art since the 1970s, both in the US and internationally. Born of Cherokee descent, in 1940s Arkansas, Jimmie Durham takes up such issues as the politics of representation, histories of genocide, and citizenship and exile. This volume collects an array of Durham’s sculptures, drawings, photography, video, and performance. It includes essays about Durham’s material choices and their metaphoric potential; his participation in the NYC art scene in the 1980s; his use of language; and his ties to Mexico after living in Cuernavaca. An interview with Durham traces his involvement with the American Indian Movement and his self-exile from the US, which along with his essays and poetry, illuminate his life and work. This book provides an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Durham, arguably one of the most important artists working today.

Anne Ellegood is Senior Curator at the Hammer Museum.