The ear witness: Turner-winner Lawrence Abu Hamdan and his ‘sound evidence’ exposés of human rights abuses
Artist Lawrence Abu Hamdan is profiled for his dual career as a Turner Prize-winning artist and the director of Earshot, an NGO that uses sound analysis to investigate human rights abuses. His work involves forensic audio examination to provide evidence in cases ranging from military strikes in Gaza to sonic weapon usage.
Why it matters
It highlights the intersection of contemporary art and forensic activism, demonstrating how creative methodologies can be applied to hold power accountable in international human rights cases.
‘The idea of figuring things out through sound didn’t occur until Earshot’ … Abu Hamdan. ‘The idea of figuring things out through sound didn’t occur until Earshot’ … Abu Hamdan. Art and design Interview The ear witness: Turner-winner Lawrence Abu Hamdan and his ‘sound evidence’ exposés of human rights abuses Charlotte Higgins From killings in Gaza to the alleged use of a sonic weapon on a vigil in Belgrade, the Lebanese-British artist reveals how his work for activist group Earshot is inseparable from his art
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