A rare glimpse into the mind of one of contemporary art’s most elusive figures, a new publication—conceived entirely under David Hammons’ direction—revisits his seminal 2019 exhibition at Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles. This post-exhibition catalogue serves as both a document and an extension of Hammons’ most expansive presentation to date, offering an intimate reflection on the artist’s provocative and deeply influential practice.
True to Hammons’ ethos, the book is more than a conventional exhibition record; it is a carefully constructed object in itself, embodying the artist’s signature resistance to traditional art-world conventions. The publication is available exclusively at Hauser & Wirth locations and online, with a wider trade release slated for May
About the artist
David Hammons is one of the most elusive yet influential artists of his generation, a provocateur whose work consistently challenges the boundaries of race, class, and the art market itself. Born in 1943 in Springfield, Illinois, Hammons emerged in the 1960s and ’70s with his “body prints,” a deeply personal yet politically charged series created by pressing his grease-covered body onto paper, then dusting it with pigment. These works, often incorporating American symbols like the flag or playing card suits, reflect a sharp critique of racial identity and systemic oppression.
Throughout his career, Hammons has resisted the traditional structures of the art world, opting for anonymity and unpredictability over institutional recognition. His 1983 performance piece Bliz-aard Ball Sale, in which he sold snowballs of varying sizes on the streets of New York, was a wry meditation on value and commodity—both in art and society at large. His sculptural works, often made from found or discarded materials, transform everyday objects into biting social commentary. Pieces like Higher Goals (1986), featuring towering basketball hoops adorned with bottle tops, interrogate the narrow aspirations often placed on Black youth.
Courtesy Hauser & Wirth Publishers
Despite his reluctance to engage in the commercial art scene, Hammons’ influence is profound. His 1990 African American Flag, which reimagines the U.S. flag in the red, black, and green of the Pan-African movement, has become an enduring symbol of Black identity and resistance. Often refusing to explain his work or attend his own openings, Hammons allows the work to speak for itself, maintaining a mystique that only heightens his status.
Through subversion and satire, Hammons has reshaped contemporary art discourse, proving that resistance itself can be a powerful creative force. His legacy is not just in the objects he creates but in the questions they leave behind—about race, capitalism, and the very meaning of art.
David Hammons
English
Hardcover
29.8 × 29.8 cm
ISBN: 978-3-907493-13-7
£80.00 / $95.00 / €90.00
©2025 Hauser & Wirth
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