The Sorcerer's Burden: Contemporary Art & the Anthropological Turn

The Sorcerer’s Burden: Contemporary Art & the Anthropological Turn explores the complicated relationship between art and anthropology as it has been probed in the work of contemporary artists. Focusing on artists who appropriate, manipulate and transform elements found in anthropological methodologies and practices to create contemporary works that are alternately subversive, humorous, satirical, dark, playful and enchanting, The Sorcerer’s Burden considers the complex results that emerge when contemporary artists, curators and exhibitions turn to anthropology. These artists—working in painting, sculpture, photography, film, video and performance—explore the intersection between fact and fiction, and the questionable proposal that any field, media or genre might propose to convey the “truth.” Artists featured in this volume include Ed Atkins, Nuotama Frances Bodomo, Theo Eshetu, Cameron Jamie, Kapwani Kiwanga, Marie Lorenz, Nathan Mabry, Ruben Ochoa, Dario Robleto, Shimabuku and Julia Wachtel.