2021 National Gallery Artist in Residence: Ali Cherri

Accompanies the display at the National Gallery, London, 16 March–12 June 2022 and the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry, in summer 2022.

Ali Cherri (b. 1976), the 2021 National Gallery Artist in Residence, is known for his sculptures, drawings and films exploring museums, objects and their relationship to the natural world. Cherri's time at the National Gallery expands on his interest in collecting and collections. This book introduces the Lebanese artist's practice to a broad audience and documents his journey from the beginning of the residency through the many artworks, artefacts and conversations that have inspired this new body of work.

The first full survey of the artist’s work, and the first in the English language, this publication gives an overview of Cherri's archaeological approach to the heritage of objects by investigating their relationships to history, society and nature. This publication complements the display opening in February 2021 at the National Gallery, moving subsequently to the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry.

Authors

Priyesh Mistry is Associate Curator of Modern Contemporary Projects at the National Gallery, London.

Rose Lejeune is a curator specialising in collection research and expansion.

Martin Roberts is Curatorial Manager at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry.