Husband-and-wife artists Laurie Simmons and Carroll Dunham, who met in 1977 and married in 1983, are holding their first-ever concurrent solo shows in New York City. Dunham is exhibiting new paintings of naked men wrestling at Gladstone Gallery, while Simmons presents photographic portraits of women in body paint at Salon 94 and a revisitation of her ventriloquism dummy photographs from the 1990s at Mary Boone Gallery. In an interview with artnet News, the couple discusses their contrasting work habits—Dunham works steadily over long periods, while Simmons works in intense, episodic bursts—and how they have balanced their careers and family life, including raising daughters Lena Dunham and Grace Dunham.
The article matters because it offers a rare, intimate look at the dynamics of a celebrated artistic partnership that has spanned nearly five decades. By examining how two established artists influence each other while maintaining distinct practices and schedules, the piece provides insight into the creative and logistical challenges of dual-artist households. It also highlights the ongoing relevance of both artists, with Simmons revisiting early, underappreciated work and Dunham continuing to evolve his painterly style, underscoring the longevity and adaptability of their careers.