Glenn Ligon and Hilton Als (photo of Glenn Ligon by Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times, photo of Hilton Als by Brigitte Lacombe)

Colors might not be the first thing that comes to mind when considering the work of Glenn Ligon, who explores race, sexuality, and identity through language. The conceptual artist is best known for his stark black and white text works in which phrases from literature or history are stenciled over and over, progressing from clarity to obfuscation, though his oeuvre also includes photography, video, and neon. His recently curated group exhibition, Blue Black, however, looked specifically at color and race in America through works by Ellsworth Kelly, Andy Warhol, Kerry James Marshall, Chris Ofili, and many others.

As part of the Underground Museum’s “Holding Court” series, which brings together artists and writers to discuss social and creative issues, Ligon and cultural critic Hilton Als will discuss color in his work and in the world. The Museum’s current show, Artists of Color — featuring a surprisingly diverse selection of color-based abstractions — provides a fitting backdrop for the talk.

When: Saturday, October 14, 1pm
Where: The Underground Museum (3508 West Washington Boulevard, Arlington Heights, Los Angeles)

More info here.

The Latest

Required Reading

This week, the world’s lightest paint, Pakistan’s feminist movement, World Puppy Day, and were some of Vermeer’s paintings created by his daughter?

Matt Stromberg

Matt Stromberg is a freelance visual arts writer based in Los Angeles. In addition to Hyperallergic, he has contributed to the Los Angeles Times, CARLA, Apollo, ARTNews, and other publications.