Artist Lorna Simpson joins the 'A Brush With...' podcast to discuss the vast array of cultural influences that inform her conceptual practice. From her early photo-text works to her recent large-scale paintings, Simpson details how she subverts conventional framing of identity and navigates the boundaries between reality, fiction, and historical archives. She highlights the impact of figures such as David Hammons, Francisco de Zurbarán, and filmmaker Chantal Akerman on her evolving visual language.
This interview provides critical insight into the intellectual rigor of one of the most influential contemporary American artists. By exploring her connections to literature, cinema, and fellow artists, the discussion illuminates how Simpson balances political engagement with aesthetic refusal, creating space for viewer interpretation. The conversation also underscores her enduring relationship with institutions like the Studio Museum in Harlem, reflecting her central role in the narrative of contemporary representation.