
Untitled
<p>Two diagonally paired bodies in the foreground of each scene are counterbalanced by a tree in the background. The left image, depicting two white women in a lush, idyllic setting, is paired with a militaristic scene in which white men in uniforms execute two black men before a crowd of onlookers. Simpson typically conjoins text and image in her work; however, the absence of text in this piece-perhaps signifying an unfinished work-forces the viewer to establish formal and narrative relationships. The juxtaposition of these images speaks to the manner in which gender, race, sexuality, and authority have been historically constructed, represented, and exercised.</p>
Catalogue
- Year
- 1995
- Dimensions
- 30.5 × 38 cm (12 1/16 × 15 in.)
- Collection
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Artist
- Lorna Simpson
Artist

Photography
Contemporary African-American artist Lorna Simpson rose to global prominence during the 1980s for her photo-text work, which investigates the tensions between historical memory, popular representation and the conception of self. Her practice later expanded to incorporate audio and video elements. In recent years, she has been creating and exhibiting monumental paintings of shrouded figures, typographic fragments and stark polar icescapes.
Full artist profile →More
More by Lorna Simpson
May, June, July, August '57/'09 #8
2009 · Twelve gelatin silver prints
Photo Booth
2008 · 100 works on paper, photographs and ink
Recall from Exit 8
1998 · Screenprint on felt from a portfolio of seven screenprints (two with collage additions, two with water color additions), one lithograph, and screenprinted cover
Theater Seats
1998 · Serigraph on eighteen felt panels
Details
1996 · Photogravure
Details
1996 · Photogravure
Record
Verified by WattsOS- Artist
- Lorna Simpson
- Year
- 1995
- Dimensions
- 30.5 × 38 cm (12 1/16 × 15 in.)
- Watts ID
- WW-1995-089848
Source
- Collection
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Source
- aic
- Reference
- View at source
- Status
- verified





