Simone Leigh

Simone Leigh is a Black feminist artist who has created artwork that explores questions of Black femme-identified subjectivity and the traditions and material cultures of the African diaspora. This monograph includes new scholarship addressing her work across mediums and topics, as well as generous and lushly illustrated plates featuring her critically acclaimed work.

Format: Hardback
Length: 372 pages
Publication date: 03 October 2023
Publisher: Distributed Art Publishers

Over the past two decades, Simone Leigh has emerged as a pioneering artist whose multidisciplinary explorations delve into the realms of community, Black feminism, and the rich tapestry of traditions and material cultures of the African diaspora. Her artistic creations, spanning sculpture, video, installation, and social practice, have positioned questions of Black femme-identified subjectivity at the forefront of contemporary art discourse. Through her visually captivating and materially rich works, Leigh explores the complex interplay of race, beauty, and community within the realms of visual and material culture.

Her art encompasses a wide range of historical periods, geographies, and traditions, with specific references to materials from across the African diaspora. She also draws upon traditional forms associated with African art and architecture, infusing them with her unique perspective and artistic vision. This publication represents a significant contribution to the field, offering a comprehensive examination of Leigh's work across various mediums and themes.

Co-authored by her longstanding collaborators and featuring contributions from emerging scholars, the volume provides a diverse range of insights and perspectives on Leigh's artistic practice. It includes a captivating conversation that highlights Leigh's distinctive voice and artistic vision, further enriching our understanding of her work. Additionally, the publication boasts an extensive collection of lavishly illustrated plates, showcasing her critically acclaimed masterpieces from her 20-year career.

A special section dedicated to Leigh's research images offers a glimpse into her methodological approaches and encourages readers to engage fully with all aspects of her artistic oeuvre. This monograph serves as a timely opportunity to gain a holistic understanding of the profound and multifaceted artistry of Simone Leigh.

Born in Chicago in 1967, Leigh pursued her artistic journey by earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Art with a minor in Philosophy from Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana, in 1990. Her artistic trajectory gained momentum when she represented the United States at the prestigious 59th Venice Biennale in 2022 with her critically acclaimed exhibition "Sovereignty." Since then, she has continued to captivate audiences with solo exhibitions and has solidified her position as a groundbreaking artist whose work continues to shape the landscape of contemporary art.

Dimension: 286 x 260 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781636810782