Lorna Simpson, multimedia artist and photographer



Elizabeth Alexander, B.A. 1984, Hon. 2007, the Frederick Iseman Professor of Poetry, and Professor of African American Studies and American Studies, Yale University



Though Lorna Simpson is primarily known for her large-scale photograph and text pieces, she has produced a diverse body of work, much of which invites a reevaluation of race and gender stereotypes. This program features a conversation between Simpson and Elizabeth Alexander, a noted poet, essayist, and scholar of African American poetry and drama. Alexander has published several collections of criticism and written extensively on contemporary African American artistic life. Together, Simpson and Alexander discuss the interplay of race, gender, and identity in art.



This program is part of a series of public conversations hosted in conjunction with Alexander’s course Contemporary African American Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts, which explores the work and innovations of contemporary African American authors and artists.