APT9/ Artist Stories: Munem Wasif

Munem Wasif is widely recognised for his documentary photography, in which he takes a humanistic approach to social and political issues in Bangladesh. In his recent work, Wasif has experimented with video, sound and different photographic devices while retaining aspects of the documentary style and archival interest for which he is acclaimed. Expressionistic in style, his works are remarkable for their clarity and depth of light and shadow, while his emphasis on long-term engagement with his subject matter allows for a deeper understanding of the sites and cultures of Bangladesh. In previous series, Wasif has concentrated on subjects such as the history of Dhaka; the lives of labourers and ordinary people, from stone cutters to textile workers; the borderland between India and Bangladesh; or the complexities of identity and religion within his own community.