Lawrence Abu Hamdan (b.1985, Amman) is a researcher, filmmaker, artist, and activist with over a decade of experience investigating sound in legal and political contexts. He holds a doctorate from the University of London on the role of sound in investigations. In 2023, he founded Earshot, the world’s first not-for-profit organization dedicated to audio for human rights and environmental advocacy. His work has been used in court, including the UK Asylum and Immigration Tribunal and the International Criminal Court, as well as in advocacy campaigns for organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. Abu Hamdan’s work has been presented worldwide in exhibitions, publications, and films, including at MoMA, Tate Modern, and the Venice Biennale. His works are part of major collections, including Reina Sofia and MoMA. He has received numerous awards, including the 2019 Edvard Munch Art Award and the 2020 Toronto Biennial Audience Award. For the 2019 Turner Prize, Abu Hamdan, together with nominated artists Helen Cammock, Oscar Murillo and Tai Shani, formed a temporary collective that was jointly granted the award.

Zifzafa, 2024, still from video game simulation. Lawrence Abu Hamdan. Courtesy of the artist.