Overview

• Lorraine O’Grady, known for her innovative performance art and photography, passed away at her home in New York at age 90, as confirmed by her trust.
• O’Grady’s most iconic works include the Mlle Bourgeoise Noire performances, where she critiqued art world exclusivity, and Art Is…, a public art project at Harlem’s African-American Day Parade.
• Her practice emphasized ‘both/and thinking,’ critiquing racism, misogyny, and privilege while centering the experiences of Black women in art and society.
• O’Grady’s career began later in life, transitioning from roles in government, translation, and music criticism to becoming a leading voice in conceptual art by her mid-40s.
• Her influence has grown in recent years, with major retrospectives, scholarly recognition, and her work featured in prominent exhibitions on contemporary and historical themes.