Glenn Ligon : Distinguishing Piss from Rain

Published in 2024 by Hauser & Wirth, this volume serves as a comprehensive monograph accompanying Glenn Ligon’s exhibition Distinguishing Piss from Rain. The title draws on a provocative phrase from the artist's ongoing examination of language, social hierarchies, and the blurred lines between art and commentary. It was produced to document his evolving practice, which frequently utilizes neon, text, and archival imagery to probe the complexities of American identity and the historical legacy of the black experience.

The book is designed as a deep dive into the conceptual rigor that has defined Ligon’s career since he rose to prominence in the late 1980s. By compiling his recent output alongside critical essays, the publisher aimed to situate his work within a broader discourse of contemporary art history. The volume has been received as a vital addition to the literature on Ligon, praised for its careful curation of his text-based installations and the way it illuminates the interplay between literature and visual representation.