Michael Rakowitz, an Iraqi-American artist, explores the intersection of problem-solving and provocative art. His work has been showcased in prestigious venues worldwide, including dOCUMENTA (13), P.S.1, MoMA, MassMOCA, and more. Rakowitz is a recipient of esteemed awards, such as the 2020 Nasher Prize and the 2018 Herb Alpert Award in the Arts.

As part of the 4th edition of Autostrada Biennale, Rakowitz presented his artwork titled “Alef Lamed Lamed Hei: G-D in Arabic-in-Hebrew Letters From An Arab-Jewish Haggadah, Baghdad, Iraq, 1935, 2023.” During his lecture-performance at the Former Radio Station in Prizren, Kosovo, he shared his family history and ancestral stories. Rakowitz also exhibited treasured pieces from his collection, including an antique Babylon optical case, an Iraqi-Jewish man’s ID document, a 1947 placeholder book used by his family, a 1920s Iraqi hat made in Milan, Jewish-made pocket watches from Baghdad, and a sacred book or hagada with Hebrew letters from Baghdad. Currently based in Chicago, Michael Rakowitz continues to create thought-provoking and impactful art that resonates globally. His art serves as a powerful reflection on heritage, history, and cultural connections.