Maria Hassabi is a choreographer, performer, and visual artist. Since the early 2000s, she has carved a distinct practice based on the relationship between the live body, the still image, and the sculptural object. Concentrated on stillness, deceleration, and aesthetic precision, her works—spanning performance, installation, photography, sculpture, sound and moving image—reflect on concepts of time and representations of the human figure. Her static works often take her live performances as a point of departure, while technological tools are used to transcend the limitations inherent to liveness and presence. By working across different media, she emphasizes the complexity of formal composition through varied methodologies.

Solo exhibitions and presentations include, Tai Kwun Contemporary, Hong Kong (2023); LUMA Arles (2022); OGR, Turin (2022); Secession, Vienna (2021); K20, Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, Düsseldorf (2017-18); OCC Stegi, Athens (2017); Walker Art Center, Minneapolis (2017); Museum of Modern Art, NY (2016); Hammer Museum, LA (2015); The Kitchen, NY (2019, 2016, 2013, 2011, 2006); Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam (2015); Centre d’Art Contemporain, Geneva (2012); Performance Space 122, NY (2009, 2007).

Her works have also been featured in group exhibitions and festivals such as The Story of Public Art – Dancing in the Streets (On Power) at MAPS, Denmark (2025); ENNOVA Biennale, Langfang City (2024); IMMA, Dublin (2024); Unlimited, Art Basel (2024); Kunstenfestivaldesarts, Brussels (2024, 2017, 2016, 2014); Thailand Biennale, Chiang Rai (2023); Ob/Scene Festival, Seoul (2022); Hellerau, Dresden (2022); FRONT Triennial, Cleveland (2022); Museion, Bolzano (2021); River to River Festival, NY (2021, 2017, 2014, 2012); Gropius Bau, Berlin (2020); Performa, NY (2019, 2013, 2009); Pulitzer Arts Foundation, St. Louis (2019); MUDAM, Luxenberg (2019); Serralves Museum, Porto (2019, 2015); Centre Pompidou, Paris (2018); documeta14, Kassel (2017); the 55th Venice Biennale (2013); Crossing the Line Festival, NY (2016, 2011, 2009); ArtSonje, Seoul (2015); Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, Melbourne (2014), amongst others.

Hassabi was an Onassis Resident 2019-2022 and has received the 2019 Performa Malcolm McClaren Award along with Nairy Baghramian; 2016 New York Dance and Performance “Bessie” Award; 2015 Herb Alpert Award; 2012 President’s Award for Performing Arts from LMCC; 2011 Guggenheim Fellowship; 2009 Grants to Artists Award from Foundation for Contemporary Arts. She holds a BFA from California Institute of the Arts.