Layers of Time and Memory in Contemporary Art

Idris Khan is celebrated as one of the most innovative British artists of our time, renowned for his deeply poetic and visually striking works. Idris Khan: Repeat After Me offers the first major mid-career survey of this exceptional artist, chronicling more than two decades of creative exploration.

What Makes This Book Special:

- A comprehensive journey through two decades of artistic evolution: From early monochromatic photographic works to abstract watercolors inspired by 16th–18th century masterpieces.
- Exploration of universal themes: Time, memory, history, religion, and music rendered through layered, evocative imagery.
- Features exclusive insights: Essays by curator Marcelle Polednik and art critic David Carrier, plus a conversation between Idris Khan and acclaimed artist and author Edmund de Waal (The Hare with Amber Eyes).
- Accompanying Khan’s first US exhibition: A landmark moment in the career of one of Britain’s most exciting contemporary artists.
Through layers of repetition and ritual, Khan’s art encapsulates the metaphysical collapse of time into singular moments. This beautifully designed book is a must-have for art lovers, collectors, and anyone intrigued by the intersection of time, memory, and visual storytelling.



London-based IDRIS KHAN (*1978, Birmingham) is one of the most exciting British artists of his generation. Upon completing his Master’s Degree in Fine Art at the Royal College of Art in London in 2004, he first garnered international attention for his digital layering of black-and-white photographs. In 2018, he created the British Museum’s first site-specific work, he has had numerous international solo exhibitions, and in 2017 was awarded the American Architecture Prize for his design of Abu Dhabi’s Wahat Al Karama.