Born in Mississippi, Arthur Jafa established his career as a cinematographer and filmmaker before gaining widespread recognition for his work in the contemporary art world. His practice often involves the meticulous editing of found footage, creating dense, non-linear visual narratives that explore the history and aesthetics of the African American experience.

Jafa is best known for his signature video works that utilize rapid-fire montage techniques to juxtapose historical imagery with contemporary popular culture. His medium primarily encompasses film and video installation, though his curatorial projects frequently incorporate a diverse range of objects, textiles, and fine art from institutional collections to further his thematic investigations.

His recent recognition includes a major curatorial project at the Museum of Modern Art titled Artist’s Choice: Arthur Jafa—Less Is Morbid, which features nearly 100 objects from the museum's permanent collection. Additionally, he is set to be featured in a dual exhibition with Richard Prince at the Fondazione Prada in Venice, coinciding with the 2026 Venice Biennale.