Michael Rakowitz

Michael Rakowitz is a Professor of Art Theory and Practice at Northwestern University, known for his socially engaged art projects that intersect history, culture, and activism. He earned his BFA from Purchase College in 1995 and has exhibited globally, including at dOCUMENTA (13), MoMA, and the Venice Biennale.

• Education: BFA from Purchase College (1995)

His practice explores displaced cultural identity, geopolitical conflict, and collective memory, often through public installations that challenge institutional narratives. Notable works include paraSITE, RETURN, and The Invisible Enemy Should Not Exist.

Scientific Awards:

• 2018 Herb Alpert Award in the Arts (Visual Arts category)
• 2012 Tiffany Foundation Award
• 2008 Creative Capital Grant
• 2006 New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship Grant
• 2003 Dena Foundation Award
• 2002 UNESCO Design 21 Grand Prix
• 2019 Nasher Prize

His projects have been funded by major institutions and have sparked critical dialogues on power, repatriation, and survival. Works like Spoils (2011) and Room N (2018) exemplify his focus on Iraqi heritage and the aftermath of war.