Cooper Union Memorial Celebrates Nancy Spero's Life and Work
On April 18 at 3 PM, Cooper Union celebrated the influential feminist artist Nancy Spero. The event featured distinguished speakers such as Kiki Smith, Robert Storr, and Hans Ulrich Obrist, among others. Some European guests were unable to attend due to disruptions caused by a volcanic ash cloud. Spero, originally from Cleveland, moved to Paris before eventually calling Manhattan home, where she passed away in October at the age of 83. Active since the 1960s, her artwork confronted themes of power, male dominance, and violence against women, greatly impacting the feminist art movement and inspiring many contemporary artists.
Key facts
- Cooper Union hosted a public commemoration for Nancy Spero on April 18 at 3pm.
- Speakers included Benjamin Buchloh, Donna De Salvo, Christopher Lyon, Bartomeu Marí, Hans Ulrich Obrist, Kiki Smith, Robert Storr, and Nora York.
- A volcano dust crisis curtailed visits of several European speakers.
- Nancy Spero was born in Cleveland and lived in Paris before settling in Manhattan.
- She died in October at age 83.
- Her figurative work since the 1960s addressed abuse of power, Western entitlement, male dominance, and political violence against women.
- She was featured in the award-winning series 'Art 21.'
- She was in partnership with husband Leon Golub and influenced artists including Kiki Smith.
Entities
Artists
- Nancy Spero
- Kiki Smith
- Leon Golub
Institutions
- Cooper Union
- Art 21
Locations
- Cleveland
- Paris
- Manhattan