Lorraine O'Grady

Lorraine O'Grady (b. 1934 USA) is an influential American conceptual artist and critic known for her pioneering work that addresses issues of race, gender, and identity. O'Grady's practice spans performance, installation, and photography, and she is best known for her performances and projects that challenge the exclusion of Black women from the mainstream art world. One of her most iconic works, Mlle Bourgeoise Noire (1980–83), involved O'Grady assuming the persona of a beauty queen, dressed in a gown made of 180 pairs of white gloves, to critique racism and sexism within the art world. Her performances often engage directly with audiences, blending activism with art to provoke dialogue and reflection on societal norms and structures. O'Grady’s work is deeply rooted in her experiences as a Black woman, and her art continues to inspire discussions about the intersections of race, gender, and power in contemporary society. She has exhibited widely and remains a significant figure in the discourse on identity and representation in art. (Artist website)