Date of Birth: December 6, 1941
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
Date of Death: [Blank]
Biography
Bruce Nauman is an influential American sculptor, performance artist, and video artist, renowned for his innovative and often provocative works that challenge traditional notions of art. Born on December 6, 1941, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Nauman has been a seminal figure in the contemporary art world since the late 1960s. He studied mathematics and physics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison before shifting his focus to art, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1964. He later received a Master of Fine Arts from the University of California, Davis, in 1966. Nauman’s work spans various media, including sculpture, video, drawing, photography, and neon. He is particularly known for his use of text and language, as well as his exploration of the human body and its capabilities. His art often addresses themes of identity, perception, and the nature of art itself. Nauman has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale in 2009. He continues to live and work in Galisteo, New Mexico, where he maintains a studio.
5 Interesting Facts about Bruce Nauman
1. Bruce Nauman originally studied mathematics and physics before turning to art.
2. He won the prestigious Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale in 2009 for Best Artist.
3. Nauman’s work “Clown Torture” (1987) is one of his most famous and controversial pieces, featuring a clown subjected to various forms of psychological distress.
4. He has been a major influence on younger artists and is considered a pioneer in the fields of conceptual art and video art.
5. Nauman’s use of neon lights in his art has become iconic, with pieces like “The True Artist Helps the World by Revealing Mystic Truths” (1967) being widely celebrated.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Bruce Nauman
1. “If I was an artist and I was in the studio, then whatever I was doing in the studio must be art.”
2. “The true artist helps the world by revealing mystic truths.”
3. “I have often tried to make art that is hard to look at, that is hard to take.”
4. “What I am really concerned about is what art is supposed to be—and can become.”
5. “Art is a matter of life and death. That is what has to be understood.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Bruce Nauman’s highest net worth achieved is estimated to be around $15 million.
Children
Bruce Nauman has two children, Erik and Zoë Nauman, from his marriage to painter Susan Rothenberg.
Relevant Links
2. [Bruce Nauman – MoMA](https://www.moma.org/artists/4248
3. [Bruce Nauman – Art21](https://art21.org/artist/bruce-nauman/
4. [Bruce Nauman – Tate](https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/bruce-nauman-1693
5. [Bruce Nauman – Artnet](http://www.artnet.com/artists/bruce-nauman/