Lorraine O’Grady, a trailblazing conceptual artist who challenged traditional notions of identity and self-expression, has passed away at the age of 90. Born in Boston to Jamaican immigrant parents, O’Grady’s life was marked by a relentless pursuit of artistic expression, which began in her late 40s and spanned over three decades.
O’Grady’s career took off in the early 2000s with high-profile exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles and the Whitney Biennial in New York. Her performances, collages, and writings often explored themes of identity, class, and social justice. As a member of the Guerrilla Girls collective, she used her art to challenge patriarchal norms and advocate for greater representation of women artists.
Throughout her career, O’Grady defied conventions and pushed boundaries, embracing her Caribbean heritage and working-class roots. She taught at prestigious institutions, including the School of Visual Art in New York, and wrote for prominent publications, including The Village Voice and Rolling Stone.
O’Grady’s art has been recognized with numerous awards, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, which supported a new performance art piece reviving an old character from her past work. Her legacy extends beyond her own artistic practice, inspiring generations of artists to challenge the status quo and forge their own paths.
As Lorraine O’Grady once said, “I’m old-fashioned. I think art’s first goal is to remind us that we are human, whatever that is.” Her pioneering spirit, intellectual rigor, and commitment to social justice will be deeply missed, but her impact on the art world will continue to inspire and challenge future generations.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/16/style/lorraine-ogrady-artist-obit/index.html