ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Analysis of Yto Barrada and Hassan Darsi's Use of Whitewash in Art and Politics

publication · 2026-04-19

Katarzyna Pieprzak published an article on October 15, 2019, examining the artistic practices of Yto Barrada and Hassan Darsi. The piece explores how these artists employ whitewash as an affective platform to engage with political and social surfaces. Barrada and Darsi's work critically addresses themes of urban transformation and colonial legacies through material interventions. Their projects often involve public spaces and architectural contexts, challenging perceptions of cleanliness and erasure. The analysis delves into the symbolic weight of whitewashing in postcolonial environments, linking aesthetic choices to broader geopolitical narratives. Pieprzak's writing situates their art within contemporary debates on memory, visibility, and resistance. The article is hosted on ARTMargins Online and requires subscription access via MIT Press for full content. This scholarly contribution highlights the intersection of artistic methodology and political critique in North African contexts.

Key facts

  • Article published on October 15, 2019
  • Authored by Katarzyna Pieprzak
  • Focuses on artists Yto Barrada and Hassan Darsi
  • Examines whitewash as an affective platform
  • Discusses art and politics of surface
  • Available on ARTMargins Online
  • Subscription access through MIT Press
  • Analyzes urban and colonial themes

Entities

Artists

  • Yto Barrada
  • Hassan Darsi
  • Katarzyna Pieprzak

Institutions

  • ARTMargins Online
  • MIT Press

Sources