Untitled (Primary Title)
Lorna Simpson, American, born 1960 (Artist)
“I’m dealing with the language of stereotypes.” —Lorna Simpson
Simpson combines large-format Polaroid photographs with terse phrases meant to sensitize viewers to the misrepresentation and inaccuracy lurking in everyday words and images. Here Simpson disrupts the usual relationship between the observer and observed by turning her subject away from the camera. This raises a series of questions: Is the figure male or female? A corporate executive or a restaurant employee? Do the verbs (believe, possess, hold, keep, cling, faint, collapse, plunge, descend, fall) paired with the days of the week describe the figure’s mental state? Simpson underscores the ambiguity of images and language to make us reexamine out understanding of racial and sexual identity.
Lorna Simpson, Josh Baer Gallery, New York, NY
[1] Accessioned March 16, 1993. See VMFA Curatorial file.
Lorna Simpson @ VMFA
3:04Hear and see what major artists have to say about their works and concepts in their own words. These concise videos–2 to 3 minutes–are historic interviews recorded one-on-one by VMFA in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Lorna Simpson @ VMFA
3:04Some object records are not complete and do not reflect VMFA's full and current knowledge. VMFA makes routine updates as records are reviewed and enhanced.