Jenny Holzer on the raw power of the well-crafted phrase

Over the past five decades, American artist Jenny Holzer has created works of art in the street, in everyday life and in the museum that unflinchingly address politics, power, violence, vulnerability and joy.

The New York artist studies language as content and form, working with unconventional mediums such as road signs, T-shirts and light projections, as well as sculptures and paintings. These thought-provoking and often poetic works are extremely impactful, creating tension between the realms of knowledge and emotion.

Last year, Holzer curated an acclaimed exhibition of the work of Louise Bourgeois at the Kunstmuseum Basel and presented a highly anticipated solo exhibition at Hauser & Wirth New York. More recently, she has been celebrated as WSJ. magazine’s Art Innovator 2022 and received the prestigious 2023 Art Icon Award from the Whitechapel Gallery.

On the occasion of her current exhibition at the K21 Museum in Düsseldorf, which includes many key works from different phases of her career, Artnet Europe Editor Kate Brown met Holzer, one of the most prominent artists of his generation.

“JENNY HOLZERis on view at K21 in Düsseldorf until August 6, 2023.

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