Artist Highlight: Lorraine O’Grady
By Larissa Ramey, February 7, 2024
Lorraine O’Grady (1934) is a contemporary artist and critic whose work redefines the narrative around Black women being seen and used as a subject in art. One of her most iconic works, Untitled: Mlle Bourgeoise Noire, was recently acquired by Crystal Bridges and is currently on view in the Contemporary Art Gallery. This series of fourteen prints documents the artist as her guerilla art persona named Mademoiselle Bourgeoise Noire (Miss Black Middle-Class). It shows her celebratory tour and performance surrounded by other artists, skeptics, admirers, and critics. O’Grady used this performance to enter the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York to make sure a big institution, like a museum, heard her and remembered that she stood up and spoke her mind through her artistry.
This series of groundbreaking images signified O’Grady’s commitment to pushing the
boundaries of what Black women and artists could do while sparking dialogue.
Active participation plays a substantial role in Lorraine’s career and within Crystal Bridges. Being in conversation with the images in our contemporary art gallery allows for both the elements of growth and dialogue to blossom. A way to participate is by asking questions and sitting with each image. One way O’Grady actively pushed boundaries was through performance. Performance allows more space to be utilized, and the opportunity to be a part of the work yourself is more available. Try leaving us a comment on social media and tag us @CrystalBridges to share with us “What does making space for yourself at CB mean to you?” This is how the development of practicing analog photography is brought forth from a modern to a contemporary conversation. The artist used analog works to understand the world by “writing in space.” ( … )