Kader Attia

Kader Attia is a contemporary French-Algerian artist known for his multidisciplinary approach that spans installation, photography, video, sculpture, and performance. Born in 1970 in Dugny, a suburb of Paris, Attia grew up between France and Algeria, a duality that profoundly influences his work, which explores themes of identity, memory, colonialism, and the lingering effects of post-colonialism.

Attia first gained international attention in the early 2000s with works that address the complex relationships between the Global North and South, often drawing from his own experiences of living between cultures. His art often critiques Western perspectives on modernity and its impact on non-Western societies, especially the lasting effects of colonization on individual and collective identities.

One of Attia’s most acclaimed concepts is that of "repair," which he explores as both a physical and metaphorical process. In his installations, he often juxtaposes traditional African artifacts with contemporary objects, emphasizing the cultural wounds left by colonialism and the continuous process of healing and reparation. His installation The Repair from Occident to Extra-Occidental Cultures (2012), showcased at Documenta 13, is a striking example, using the concept of repair to connect themes of trauma, healing, and historical violence.

Throughout his career, Attia has held solo exhibitions at prestigious institutions such as the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and the Whitechapel Gallery in London. He was awarded the Marcel Duchamp Prize in 2016, one of France's highest art honors, further solidifying his status in the international art world.

Attia’s works continue to challenge viewers to reflect on historical injustices and the ongoing impacts of globalization, while also calling attention to the potential for cultural repair and transformation.