Glenn Ligon : A Brief History

Published by MoMA PS1 in 2016, this volume serves as a critical companion to the retrospective work of Glenn Ligon, one of the most significant American conceptual artists of the contemporary era. The book was developed in direct dialogue with Ligon’s practice, which rigorously interrogates themes of racial identity, literary history, and the socio-political landscape of the United States. By gathering essays and visual documentation, the publication contextualizes his use of text-based art and archival material within the broader discourse of 20th and 21st-century American history.

The design of the monograph reflects the institutional standards expected of MoMA PS1, prioritizing a clean, scholarly presentation that allows Ligon’s layered aesthetic to remain the central focus. It functions as both a catalogue and a survey, aiming to provide readers with a comprehensive look at the artist's career trajectory. Upon its release, the book was well-received by the art criticism community for its accessible yet intellectually dense approach, bridging the gap between museum-goers and serious students of contemporary cultural theory.