Igshaan Adams: Desire Lines

The book explores the sculptural fiber work of Igshaan Adams, a South African artist, highlighting his recurring motifs, material concerns, and engagement with presence, absence, and the trace. It includes visual essays, shorter essays, and poetic texts, addressing the historical and political context of South Africa and specific artworks.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 112 pages
Publication date: 26 April 2022
Publisher: Yale University Press

The book explores the enigmatic sculptural fiber works of a prominent contemporary South African artist, Igshaan Adams (b. 1982), showcasing his multimedia practice since 2009. In addition to delving into recurring motifs such as Arabic calligraphy, roses, self-portraits, Sufi symbols, and pathways, both literal and metaphorical, the publication also highlights some of Adams' material concerns, including his sculptural applications of weaving, his embrace of recycled materials related to black South African domesticity and interiority, and his use of the gallery wall and floor in installations. Hendrik Folkerts conducts an in-depth survey of Adams' recent work, addressing its engagement with presence, absence, and the trace. Adams himself provides a visual essay that allows readers to appreciate details that might be imperceptible in a gallery setting. The other authors contribute shorter essays and poetic texts that focus on the South African historical and political context, specific artworks, and particular creative strategies, materials, and narratives.

Distributed for the Art Institute of Chicago
Exhibition Schedule:
Art Institute of Chicago
(April 2–August 1, 2022)

Dimension: 29 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300263855