“In order to tell the truth, you need to invent what might be missing from the archive, to collapse time . . . to formally move things around in a way that reveals something more true than fact.”

Simone Leigh (b. 1967) is an American artist whose work focuses on explorations of community, Black feminism, and the traditions and material culture of the African diaspora. Over the past two decades, Leigh has created artwork that situates questions of Black femme-identified subjectivity at the center of contemporary artistic discourse. Her sculpture, video, installation, and social practice explore ideas of race, beauty, and community in visual and material culture. Leigh often draws her concepts and inspirations from anthropological, historical, and colonial archives that represent stereotypical views of black women through a European lens. She creates new forms incorporating her research on these archives with African aesthetics and Black feminist concepts.

In 2022, Leigh was the first black woman to represent the United States in the Venice Biennale.

Image 1: A large head sculpture that is work-in-progress in her studio

Image 2: Untitled, 2022, stoneware

Image 3: Brick House, 2019, bronze

Image 4: Last Garment, detail, 2022, bronze, steel, metal, filtration water pump, water

Simone Leigh Edited by Eva Respini. Boston : Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston ; New York : DelMonico Books, [2023] HOLLIS number: 99157252441903941

#VeniceArtBiennale2022 – #USAPavilion by #SimoneLeigh More pics at: https://barbarapicci.com/2022/06/29/venice-art-biennale-2022-usa-pavilion-by-simone-leigh/ #venicebiennale #BiennaleArte2022 #biennaledivenezia #sculpture #scultura #cultureisfreedom #artisfreedom #curiositykilledtheblogger #artblogging #photooftheday #artaddict #artistsoninstagram #amazing #artwork #instacool #instaart #followart #artlover #contemporaryart #artecontemporanea #artmuseum #artcurator #artwatchers #artcollectors #artdealer #arthistory https://www.instagram.com/p/CfcLVkPrEFg/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

🌟#ArtIsAWeapon Happy B'earthday to the brilliant, beautiful, gifted, generous @sunrara, born January 17! I am forever grateful to you for masterfully curating @loopholeofretreatvenice, one of the most inspirational and affirming experiences of my life. May your next revolution around the sun be as magical as you are, my dear.

🎨 Artist @simoneyvetteleigh Simone Leigh: Sovereignty, @labiennale 2022 (International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia.)

#RashidaBumbray #SimoneLeigh

Artist of Inspiration: Simone Leigh

As I reflect about racism and representation within the academic space this week inspired by the new statues dedicated on campus on Tuesday and imagine the challenges that individuals faced then, and continue to face now when embodying otherness, I am immediately reminded of the powerful work of contemporary artist Simone Leigh and I felt compelled to share her work with you here.

Matthew Marks Gallery, one of several galleries that represent the work of Simone Leigh, describes it like this:

"Over the last twenty years Simone Leigh has created a multi-faceted body of work incorporating sculpture, video, and installation, all informed by her ongoing exploration of Black female-identified subjectivity. Leigh describes her work as auto-ethnographic, and her salt-glazed ceramic and bronze sculptures often employ forms traditionally associated with African art. Her performance-influenced installations create spaces where historical precedent and self-determination commingle. “I am charting a history of change and adaptation,” the artist has written, “through objects and gesture and the unstoppable forward movement of Black women.”

Video/Images above, from top:

Simone Leigh was the winner of the 2018 Hugo Boss Prize. On the occasion of that important honor, she created an exhibition and this video was produced of her speaking about the work she was making for that show. Maybe you too will feel inspired hearing the artist talk about sculpture in her studio? Check it out!

Sphinx

Brick House, 2019, bronze, 196" x 114" (Learn more about this incredible project here.)

Hortense, 2016, Terracotta, India ink, porcelain, glass beads, 14-karat gold luster, epoxy, 26 × 16 × 16 inches

#pensieri #damecuratedgoods #riflessioni su #opposizioni e #contrasti in occasione dell' #arte di #simoneleigh 🙌⚫️🧡 (στην τοποθεσία Italia, Venezia) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp2LxQ6Isda/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Miscellaneous moments, Oct. ‘22, part 4. #venicebiennale #simoneleigh #inbetweenartfilm #dixitalgorizmi #gabrielchaile #aiweiwei #diplomatijzaastuta #fondazioneprada #contemporaryart #venizia #venice #italia #italy #europe https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmdfbm8uY7m/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

VernissageTV’s most popular videos in 2022

Simone Leigh gets her own post. American Pavilion. Milk of Dreams, the 59th Powerful Venice Biennale, mind blown, humbled, and amazed by the diversity represented. So much better. more posts to follow, #simoneleigh #simoneyvetteleigh #women #venicebiennale #thankful #contemporaryart #aboutdamntime (at La Biennale di Venezia) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj8SRS6oeck/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#MetaPicks | #ART | #sculpture #SimoneLeigh Simone Leigh esculpiu o busto de uma mulher negra em bronze, com dezesseis metros de altura, e o instalou em plena High Line – o parque suspenso mais extenso de Nova York. Era o ano de 2019 e, curiosamente, Leigh deu à escultura o nome de 'Brick House' [Casa de tijolos], tanto para lembrar o nome de sua música favorita de infância (um clássico de 1977, da banda de Lionel Richie, a Commodores), quanto pela metáfora que sugere. A artista disse que ali, no elevado de uma das maiores cidades do mundo, "há uma mulher negra que se destaca com a força, resistência e integridade de uma casa feita de tijolos." 🧱 ✨ As obras de #SimoneLeigh são parte da #BiennaleArte2022, que tem como foco a representação dos corpos e suas metamorfoses, a relação entre indivíduos e tecnologias e a conexão entre os corpos e a terra. 📌No mês de julho, a Bienal de São Paulo visita a Bienal de Veneza – exposição que inspirou sua criação, em 1951 – em uma série de posts especiais! Não perca! #TheMilkofDreams #Venice #illatedeisogni (em La Biennale di Venezia 2022) https://www.instagram.com/p/CgF_MxHAx_U/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#bienal #EEUU #simoneleigh https://www.instagram.com/p/CfwOI5yNWNq/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

@themuseumofmodernart @tulsaartistfellowship @davidcastillogallery @the_breeder_gallery About last night!  Another great night at The MoMA!  This time, MoMA's Black Arts Council Benefit honoring Titus Kaphar and Elliot Perry.  So wonderful to be in the same room again with friends!  Here are some moments I captured! 1.  Me w/ Thelma Golden @thelmagolden 2.  Me w/ Nicola Vassell @nicolavassellgallery 3.  Me w/ Cynthia Rowley @cynthiarowley 4.  Me w/ Alvin Hall @alvindhall 5.  Me w/ Derrick Adams @derrickadamsny 6.  Me w/ Mickalene Thomas @mickalenethomas 7.  Me w/ Simone Leigh @simoneyvetteleigh 8.  Me Tavia Nyong'o (thanks for being my plus one) @just_tav #kaluplinzy #moma #momasblackartscouncil #thelmagolden #nicolavassel #cynthiarowley #alvinhall #derrickadams #mickalenethomas #simoneleigh #tavianyongo #2022tulsaartistfellow #2022tulsaartistfellow (at MoMA The Museum of Modern Art) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce0z122LKVH/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

February is Black History Month, and we’re showcasing just a few examples from our collections on contemporary American Black artists. More to come throughout this month, so stay tuned!

I'm Roberts, Deborah, 1962- [artist, interviewee] [2021] HOLLIS number: 99156414672603941

Dawoud Bey in dialogue Carrie Mae Weems Platt, Ron, 1959- [author] [2022] HOLLIS number: 99156378937603941

Hank Willis Thomas : all things being equal ... Hank Willis Thomas (Aperture Foundation) 2018 HOLLIS number: 99153724906803941

Spiritualità e femminismo nero nell'arte pubblica di Simone Leigh Salgó, Eszter [author] [2020] HOLLIS number: 99155201738303941

#VeniceArtBiennale2022 – “Brick House” by #SimoneLeigh More info at: https://barbarapicci.com/2022/06/23/speciale-biennale-arte-2022-brick-house-by-simone-leigh/ #venicebiennale #BiennaleArte2022 #biennaledivenezia #sculpture #scultura #cultureisfreedom #artisfreedom #curiositykilledtheblogger #artblogging #photooftheday #artaddict #artistsoninstagram #amazing #artwork #instacool #instaart #followart #artlover #contemporaryart #artecontemporanea #artmuseum #artcurator #artwatchers #artcollectors #artdealer #arthistory https://www.instagram.com/p/CfKKtwjrf2N/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

🌟#ArtIsAWeapon Cupboard, 2022 Bronze #Artist Simone Leigh @simoneyvetteleigh @labiennale 🙌🏿💛 #SimoneLeigh #TheMilkofDreams #VeniceBiennale #Bronze #LoopholeOfRetreat #BronxGirlsinVenice #BlackWomen #TraScapades #WillTravelForArt #BlackGirlArtGeeks (at Arsenale di Venezia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CjkjsysAoh7/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Per Kunst “ Just today” Mixed media on 12x16 canvas paper. #nightfly #atelieramadeus #prosecco #belltaylorbrothers #mach1monkey #individualist #saharadust #tropicalheat #tobagoartgallery #jeløya #simoneleigh #oslo #napoli #prosecco #scandinavianspecialties #unpologeticallyblack #uniquelymyself #heartbeat https://www.instagram.com/p/CdRUqCBO8OZ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

NEXT THURSDAY!: I will be presenting “Troubled Domesticities” at a Virtual Symposium, Picturing Women at Work in the 19th Century. Follow the link to get your ticket: https://www.clevelandart.org/events/lectures/picturing-women-work-nineteenth-century-virtual-symposium