At this point in her career, it’s safe to say that Simone Leigh has made a global impression. Born and raised in Chicago, Leigh has since created sculptures for display in Boston, Miami, New York, San Francisco, and London. In 2022, she even attended the 59th Venice Biennale, representing the United States with her visionary artwork. Her “auto-ethnographic” displays combine elements of American folk art, domestic craftwork, and themes from the African diaspora, creating memorable figures from clay, bronze, and raffia (palm leaf fibers). Brick House, arguably her most influential work, sat atop the New York City High Line from 2019 to 2021, impressing locals and tourists alike with its striking features.
While Leigh has already impressed the art world with her daring and timely sculptures, she seems to have even more exciting times ahead. From November 2023 to March 2024, the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum will exhibit Leigh’s Venice sculptures, along with three new works. After that, Leigh’s artwork will be on display at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, followed by the California African American Museum, with exhibitions lasting until January 2025. With her artwork in so many institutions, both public and private, Leigh has helped thousands of patrons explore powerful Black and feminist themes in American art.
