Born in 1954 in Zanaibar, Tanzania, Himid now lives and works in Preston, UK. Himid makes paintings, prints, drawings and installations that celebrate Black creativity while challenging institutional invisibility. She references European colonial history and its legacies, and addresses the significant cultural contribution made by people of the African diaspora. Whether working on paper, fabric, dismantled pianos or directly onto porcelain tableware, Himid continually subjects painting to the material of everyday life in order to explore the nuances of Black identity. Alongside her artistic practice Himid has curated exhibitions to showcase underrepresented women artists.
Recent solo exhibitions include Work from Underneath, New Museum, New York (2019); Our Kisses are Petals, BALTIC, Gateshead (2018); Gifts to Kings, MRAC Languedoc Roussillon Midi-Pyrénées, Sérignan, France (2018); with a forthcoming show at Tate Modern in 2021. Himid won the Turner Prize in 2017.
Himid has generously taken part in the fourth edition of School Prints, creating a limited edition print that will be donated to local schools and sold exclusively from The Hepworth Wakefield shop to fund the engagement work with schools. Of the project she said:
“It is vital that our young people can feel that they are important to us and begin to understand that we are all committed to investing in every way we can to help them expand and extend their potential.”
