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Using art to challenge, disrupt, and reshape the narratives that define our collective histories can serve as a catalyst for social change.

Award-Winning Artist | Advocate for the Legacy of Nina Simone

How do artists shape our perception of the world? Adam Pendleton, American Academy of Arts and Letters Award-winning artist, compels us to confront the power of ideas—visual, cultural, and linguistic—and underscores the profound impact a single individual can have on society. As a leading cultural voice, Pendleton is at the forefront of redefining how art can be a force for social change, using his groundbreaking work to delve into the complexities of identity, history, and language.

Pendleton’s ability to visually articulate the most pressing sociopolitical issues of our time has garnered widespread acclaim. His talent for blurring the lines between image and text was powerfully demonstrated in the evocative cover he created for The New York Times Magazine’s July 2020 issue, accompanying Isabel Wilkerson’s seminal essay, America’s Enduring Racial Caste System. The cover art overlaid the text of Frederick Douglass’s iconic speech—What, to the American slave, is your Fourth of July?—onto a 1959 photograph of a young boy witnessing a protest against school integration in Little Rock, Arkansas. Just months later, in the wake of a summer marked by national unrest, Artforum chose Pendleton’s striking image declaring “US” in black and white spray paint for the cover of its Oct/Nov 2020 issue, challenging readers to grapple with the complexities of collective identity.

Celebrated primarily as a painter, Pendleton’s versatility extends beyond the canvas. He is a true polymath, editing critical anthologies, directing films, and creating site-specific exhibitions and sculptural interventions. His 2017 anthology, Black Dada Reader, was hailed as one of The New York Times’ Best Art Books of the year by then-chief art critic Roberta Smith. In 2021, his solo exhibition Who Is Queen? at the Museum of Modern Art transformed the museum’s atrium with towering black wooden scaffolds that redefined how art could be displayed. The Times’ Siddhartha Mitter praised the show as a radical experiment that “built [its] own museum inside MoMA – an experiment in change from within, offering a radically different method of display from the chronological unfolding of the Modernist canon in the institution’s galleries.

Pendleton’s dedication to chronicling history is evident in his 2020-22 film Ruby Nell Sales, a compelling portrait of the civil rights icon. When the film was featured in the Whitney Museum’s 2023 Biennial, Barry Schwabsky of The Nation declared it “the biennial’s out-and-out masterpiece,” underscoring Pendleton’s ability to connect past and present through his art.

This is the birthplace of Nina Simone (born Eunice Waymon) , 30 Livingston St, Tryon, NC

Pendleton’s commitment to preserving the legacies of influential figures extends to his efforts to honor Nina Simone. In 2017, he joined forces with three other prominent African American artists to purchase Simone’s childhood home in Tryon, North Carolina. Under Pendleton’s leadership, the home was declared a national treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and in partnership with tennis legend Venus Williams, he raised nearly five million dollars to protect the site for future generations.

As a keynote speaker, Pendleton captivates audiences with his compelling insights into how art can serve as a catalyst for social change. He intimately brings to life the workings of a contemporary art studio in terms of its practicalities through to its imaginative possibilities.  Pendleton’s work is not just about creating art for the walls of galleries and museums; it is about using art to challenge, disrupt, and ultimately reshape the narratives that define our collective histories and identities.

With exhibitions at the Venice Biennale, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Whitney Museum of American Art, and works in major public collections such as the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Tate Modern, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Pendleton is one of the most significant artists of our time.

Speech Topics

Creativity
Collaboration as a Creative ActUnleashing Innovation Through Teamwork

In the realm of creativity, the image of the artist’s studio is often portrayed as a solitary sanctuary of inspiration. However, true creativity frequently emerges from the interplay of diverse minds working together. This speech will explore how teamwork can serve as a powerful catalyst for innovation, challenging the myth of the solitary genius and emphasizing the collaborative nature of artistic and organizational success.

Join Pendleton as he takes you behind the scenes of his studio, offering a rare glimpse into the daily life of a renowned contemporary artist. He will share how his creative process is shaped not just by solitary moments, but by the dynamic interactions with internal and external teams that bring his artistic vision to life. Through this exploration, Pendleton will reveal his approach as a pragmatic and creative leader who celebrates collective talent to achieve extraordinary results

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The Arts
The Urgent Legacy of Nina SimoneThe Artist as a Steward of Culture

Nina Simone, an iconic vocalist, pianist, and songwriter, was a trailblazing artist and activist whose music and advocacy left an indelible mark on American society. Her contributions went far beyond her musical genius; she was a relentless force challenging societal norms and urging America to live up to its own ideals.

Pendleton alongside three other visual artists, purchased Nina Simone’s birthplace as an act of cultural preservation. This initiative was driven by a commitment to honor and perpetuate Simone’s legacy, ensuring that her story and impact are recognized and remembered by future generations.

In this talk, Pendleton delves into the motivations and vision behind this preservation project, illustrating the broader role of artists as custodians of cultural heritage. He will discuss how artists can influence and inspire society beyond traditional artistic spaces, and share insights on what Nina Simone’s life and work can teach today’s artists and leaders.

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