Jenny Holzer

About

Jenny Holzer was born in Gallipolis, Ohio, in 1950. She received a BA from Ohio University in Athens (1972); an MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design, Providence (1977); and honorary doctorates from the University of Ohio (1993), the Rhode Island School of Design (2003), and New School University, New York (2005). Whether questioning consumerist impulses, describing torture, or lamenting death and disease, Jenny Holzer’s use of language provokes a response in the viewer. While her subversive work often blends in among advertisements in public space, its arresting content violates expectations. Holzer’s texts—such as the aphorisms “Abuse of power comes as no surprise” and “Protect me from what I want”—have appeared on posters and condoms, and as electronic LED signs and projections of xenon light. Holzer’s recent use of text ranges from silk-screened paintings of declassified government memoranda detailing prisoner abuse to poetry and prose in a sixty-five-foot-wide wall of light in the lobby of 7 World Trade Center, New York. She has received many awards, including the Golden Lion from the Venice Biennale (1990); the Skowhegan Medal (1994); and the Diploma of Chevalier (2000) from the French government. Major exhibitions include Neue Nationalgalerie, Berlin (2001); Contemporary Arts Museum, Houston (1997); Dia Art Foundation, New York (1989); and Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York (1989). Since 1996, Holzer has organized public light projections in cities worldwide. She was the first woman to represent the United States in the Venice Biennale (1990). Jenny Holzer lives and works in Hoosick Falls, New York.

CV
2011 Earned the Barnard Medal of Distinction
2010 Was honoured with the 6th MOCA Award to Distinguished Women in the Arts
2005 Honorary Doctorate from the New School, New York
2000 Won the Berlin Prize fellowship from the city's American Academy
1996 Earned the Crystal Award from the World Economic Forum (WEF)
1994 Received the Skowhegan Medal
1993 Honorary Doctorate from the University of Ohio (OU)
1990 Received the Golden Lion for the pavilion of the United States at the 44th Biennale in Venice
1989 Gave birth to her first child
1977 MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Providence
1977 Took part in the Independent Study Program at the Whitney Museum of American Art
1972 BFA from the Ohio University (OU), Athens
1970 - 1971 Studied at the University of Chicago
1968 - 1970 Attended art lessons at the Duke University, Durham
Born on July 29th in Gallipolis, Ohio
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