Joseph Grigely

(Longmeadow, Massachusetts, 1956 - )

American

Joseph Grigely is a conceptual artist whose practice explores language and communication in visual form, drawing from his experience of losing his hearing in childhood. His 2007 work We're Drunken Bantering About What's Important in Life exemplifies his distinctive artistic approach, which transforms everyday conversations into profound visual experiences. 

Grigley, who serves as a professor of Visual and Critical Studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, has described his artistic mission as exploring “the ways conversation and conversational discourse might be represented as a visual experience.” He notes that this approach opens novel opportunities for exploration: “most people know what a conversation sounds like, but what does a conversation look like?” His work transforms what might be considered “a disabling condition” into “an enabling experience.”

His reputation as a pioneering artist that transforms the ephemeral nature of human interaction into powerful visual statements has earned him international recognition, with works held in prestigious collections including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, Tate Modern in London, and the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. He has also participated in major exhibitions worldwide, including the Whitney Biennial (2000-2014).

Chicago, Illinois

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