Ismail Farouk has a background in Fine Art and Human Geography. His work explores creative responses to racial, social, political and economic justice. Farouk is currently employed as a research officer at the African Centre for Cities at the University of Cape Town, where he is responsible for the running of the Central Citylab and the urban culture portfolio.

Chapters in Books: 

• Farouk, I 2008: Mapping the Routes of the Soweto Uprisings, Chapter published in Footprints of 1976, edited by Ali Hlongwane, for the Hector Pieterson Museum, Library Publications.
• Farouk, I 2008: Burying the Dead at Avalon Cemetery,Article published in The Joburg Book, edited by Nechama Brodie, Pan Macmillan Publishing South Africa.

Articles in professional and practitioner journals:

• Farouk, I (2010)  SA Cities Urban Future Manifesto, prepared for the Urban Future Initiative, Mak Centre for Art and Architecture, Mak Publications, Los Angeles, California.
• Farouk, I (2009) Planning for Chaos: Urban Regeneration and the Struggle to Formalise Trolley Pushing Activity in Johannesburg, visual essay prepared for the African Cities Reader, African Centre for Cities and Chimurenga Magazine, www.africancitiesreader.net
• Farouk, I 2008: Urban Regeneration and Evictions in Bertrams, Johannesburg. Case Study prepared for the Migrants Rights Monitoring Project, special report No.2: Migrant Access to Housing in South African Cities. Report by Jennifer Greenburg and Tara Polzer, Forced Migration Studies Programme, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
• Farouk, I 2008: Bad Buildings, Urban Management and Crime Control:The Case of the Fashion District, prepared for the Migrants Rights Monitoring Project, special report No.2: Migrant Access toHousing in South African Cities. Report by Jennifer Greenburg and Tara Polzer, Forced Migration Studies Programme, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

 Selected Exhibitions 

• 2008-2009 Solo Show: Canceled Without Prejudice, Mak Center for Art & Architecture,Hollywood California.
• 2009 Heart of the African City African Perspectives Conference - University of Pretoria
• 2009 TrolleyWorks multi-disciplinary exhibition, Goethe on Main Johannesburg
• 2009 Test Patterns, Recent Video from South Africa, SF Camerawork San Francisco
• 2008 FLEFF Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival New York
• 2008 Pushplay Video Art Exhibition, Bagfactory Studios Johannesburg
• 2008 .ZA Young Art from South Africa Siena, Italy
• 2007 Contemporary Visions of Southern Africa Tshwane Art Museum
• 2007 Unfair Trade, Graz Austria
• 2007 Apartheid The South African Mirror, CCCB Barcelona
• 2007 Positive Sun City, South Africa
• 2007 Johannesburg Diverging Metropolis Mendrisio, Switzerland
• 2007 World Social Forum: Moving People, Video Contributor Nairobi, Kenya
• 2006 Joburg 120 years, Museum Afrika Newtown
• 2006 Transcape Biennale, Parking Gallery Group Show Cape Town
• 2006 Venice Architecture Biennale Video Contributor, Venice Italy
• 2006 Parking Gallery, Solo Show Johannesburg
• 2006 Sasol New Signatures Finalist, Pretoria Art Gallery Tshwane

Awards

• 2008 Urban Future Initiative - Fellowship: Mak Centre for Art and Architecture, Los Angeles California
• 2008 Sylt Quelle Cultural Award for Southern Africa
• 2007 SABC Highway Africa New Media Award Winner (Individual category)
• 2007 Photomarathon Pretoria 1st place winner
• 2006 Sasol New Signatures Merit Award Winner, Pretoria
• 2005 Sasol New Signatures Merit Award Winner, Pretoria Art Gallery
• 2001 Martienssen Prize Runner up competition winner Gertrude Possel Gallery