Lawrence Abu Hamdan

Lawrence Abu Hamdan, known as the "Private Ear," is a sound artist and researcher whose work intersects with politics, forensic architecture, and social justice. He earned his PhD in 2017 from Goldsmiths, University of London, and is currently a Research Fellow at the Gray Centre for Arts and Inquiry at the University of Chicago.

• His audio investigations have been used as evidence in legal contexts (UK Asylum and Immigration Tribunal) and advocacy by organizations like Amnesty International and Defence for Children International, in collaboration with Forensic Architecture.
• Abu Hamdan’s artistic practice has been exhibited at prestigious events including the Venice Biennale, Gwangju Biennale, and Sharjah Biennial, as well as institutions like Tate Modern Tanks, Chisenhale Gallery, and Hammer Museum.
• His work is part of permanent collections at MoMA, Guggenheim, Van AbbeMuseum, Centre Pompidou, and Tate Modern.

In March 2021, he presented "Natq (Impossible Speech)," a live audiovisual essay exploring reincarnation as a medium for justice, through the lens of "xenoglossy" and its implications for marginalized communities. This aligns with his broader research into sound as a tool for political inquiry and resistance.

Abu Hamdan has received notable awards, including the Edvard Munch Art Award (2019), Nam June Paik Award (2016), and the Tiger Short Film Award (2017). He also co-won the 2019 Turner Prize as part of a collective with Helen Cammock, Oscar Murillo, and Tai Shani.