The Roof Garden Commission: Huma Bhabha, We Come in Peace

Book excerpt: Often described as post-apocalyptic, the work of sculptor Huma Bhabha responds to the violence and turmoil in the world around her through depictions of anthropomorphic figures—or “characters,” as Bhabha calls them—that often appear to be dismembered, melted, or dissected. This book, accompanying a sitespecific installation at the Metropolitan Museum, features an interview with the artist that provides new insights into her diverse influences, from historic sculptures to science-fiction movies, and elaborates on how art history, politics, and socioeconomic issues inform her work. In his incisive essay, curator Shanay Jhaveri explores Bhabha’s working process and her oeuvre over the last twenty years. A second essay, by film critic Ed Halter, delves into the impact of cinema on Bhabha’s sculpture. This beautifully illustrated publication is the sixth edition in a series that documents and contextualizes The Met’s annual rooftop commissions.