Glenn Ligon: America opens at the Whitney today (March 10, 2011) in NYC. The Bronx-born artist is known for conceptual art that spans themes that range from of Uncle Tom's Cabin to ’70s colorbooking pages. He is also known for his references to American history and literature, using layered text and neon lights to relay the words of Richard Pryor, James Baldwin, Malcolm X, Gertrude Stein, and others. This mid-career retrospective opens today and runs through June 5th. [The Whitney Museum]
Credits:
1. Rückenfigur, 2009. Neon and paint, 24 x 145 in. (61 x 368.3 cm).
2. Malcolm X (Version 1) #1, 2000. Vinyl-based paint, silkscreen ink, and gesso on canvas, 96 x 72 in. (243.8 x 182.9 cm).
3. Mirror, 2002. Coal dust, printing ink, glue, gesso, and graphite on canvas, 82 5/8 x 55 1/8 in. (209.9 x 147.6 cm).
4. Untitled (I Am a Man), 1988. Oil and enamel on canvas, 40 x 25 in. (101.6 x 63.5 cm).
5. Sun (Version 2) #1, 2001. Silkscreen ink, oil stick, and gesso on canvas, 48 x 36 in. (121.9 x 91.4 cm).
6. Hands, 1996. Silkscreen ink and gesso on unstretched canvas, 82 x 144 in. (208.3 x 365.8 cm).
7. Self-Portrait, 1996. Silkscreen ink and gesso on canvas, 48 x 40 in. (121.9 x 101.6 cm). Collection of the artist. Photograph by Ronald Amstutz.
© Glenn Ligon
