Lorna Simpson (b. 1960, Brooklyn) came to prominence in the 1980s with her pioneering approach to conceptual photography. Simpson’s early work raised questions about the nature of representation, identity, gender, race and history that continue to drive the artist’s expanding and multi-disciplinary practice today. She deftly explores the medium’s umbilical relation to memory and history, both central themes within her work.

In the mid-1980s, Simpson was part of a generation of artists who utilized conceptual approaches to undermine the credibility and apparent neutrality of language and images. Drawing upon a long-standing interest in poetry and literature, the artist accompanies constructed photographs with fragmented text, which is at times infused with the suggestion of violence or trauma. These early powerful works entangle viewers into an equivocal web of meaning, with what is unseen and left unsaid as important as that which the artist does disclose.

Over the past 30 years, Simpson has continued to probe these questions while expanding her practice to encompass various media including film and video, painting, drawing and sculpture. Her recent works incorporate appropriated imagery from vintage Jet and Ebony magazines, found photo booth images, and discarded Associated Press photos of natural elements. Layered and multivalent, Simpson’s practice deploys metaphor, metonymy, and formal prowess to offer a potent response to American life today.

Her recent solo exhibitions include ‘Lorna Simpson: Everrrything’ at Hauser & Wirth, Los Angeles (2021); ‘Lorna Simpson: Spilling, Breaking Waves’ at The Fabric Workshop and Museum, Philadelphia (2020); ‘Lorna Simpson: Special Characters’ at Hauser & Wirth, Hong Kong (2020); ‘Lorna Simpson: Summertime’ at The Underground Museum, Los Angeles (2019); ‘Lorna Simpson: Darkening’ at Hauser & Wirth, New York (2019); and ‘Lorna Simpson: Unanswerable’ at Hauser & Wirth, London (2018), amongst others.

Credits: James Wang

The Graduate Art Seminar is a forum for graduate students and members of the ArtCenter community to enter into dialog with internationally recognized artists, critics, and art historians. The Seminar is a core component of ArtCenter's Graduate Art program. The Seminar is also free and open to the public.

ArtCenter's Graduate Art program is based on intensive studio practice and rigorous academic coursework. The program is distinguished by its low faculty-to-student ratio that provides students with the attention and feedback they need to refine and achieve their artistic goals. Faculty and students are artists working in all genres—film, video, photography, painting, sculpture, performance and installation. A significant number of alumni have achieved national and international acclaim and often return to share their insights and expertise as visiting faculty and guest lecturers.