Date of Birth: 1960-07-20
Zodiac Sign: Unknown
Date of Death: * (Glenn Ligon is alive as of the knowledge cutoff date in 2023.)
Biography
Glenn Ligon is an acclaimed American artist known for his work in various mediums, including painting, neon, photography, and installation art. Born in the Bronx, New York, Ligon’s work often explores themes of race, language, desire, and identity. He gained significant attention for his text-based paintings that feature quotes from notable African American authors and figures, such as James Baldwin and Zora Neale Hurston. Ligon’s work has been exhibited in prestigious institutions worldwide, including the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Tate Modern. He is considered a pivotal figure in contemporary art, particularly in discussions surrounding African American culture and history.
5 Interesting Facts about Glenn Ligon
1. In 1991, Ligon created his iconic painting “Untitled (I Feel Most Colored When I Am Thrown Against a Sharp White Background),” which features a quote from Zora Neale Hurston.
2. Ligon’s work was prominently featured in the 1993 Whitney Biennial, which is often credited with launching his career to new heights.
3. He was awarded a John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship in 2003.
4. Ligon collaborated with the celebrated choreographer and dancer, Alvin Ailey, on a project that combined visual art and dance.
5. His neon work “Warm Broad Glow” (2005) features the phrase “negro sunshine,” derived from a Gertrude Stein text, and is one of his most recognized pieces.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Glenn Ligon
1. “I’m interested in how text operates in our culture—how it can be both a personal and a political statement.”
2. “My work is about the transformation of texts and images that have specific historical and cultural resonances.”
3. “Art is a way to engage with history, to question it, and to reframe it.”
4. “I think of my work as a conversation with other artists and with the world.”
5. “Language is a tool that shapes our understanding of the world and our place in it.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Glenn Ligon’s highest net worth is estimated to be around $3 million.
Children
There is no publicly available information about Glenn Ligon having any children.
Relevant Links
1. [Glenn Ligon at the Whitney Museum of American Art](https://whitney.org/artists/2707
2. [Glenn Ligon at Tate Modern](https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/glenn-ligon-6301
4. [Glenn Ligon’s profile on Art21](https://art21.org/artist/glenn-ligon/
5. [Glenn Ligon at Hauser & Wirth](https://www.hauserwirth.com/artists/2808-glenn-ligon