Lacy is a pioneer of Social Practice and New Genre Public Art. The Oakland Projects exemplify her long-term commitment to community engagement and her use of art as a platform for dialogue and social change. She focuses on giving voice to marginalized communities.
Born: 1945, Wasco, California, USA
Nationality: American
Style: Performance Art, Social Practice, Feminist Art
Influences: Feminism, social activism, community organizing
Major Exhibitions: "The Oakland Projects" (1991-2001), "In Mourning and in Rage" (1977), "The Crystal Quilt" (1987)
Quote: "Art can be a way to bring people together and create change."
Website: https://www.suzannelacy.com/
The Oakland Projects spanned a decade and included a series of large-scale performance pieces and community engagement initiatives focused on youth, media representation, and social justice in Oakland, California. One notable piece, The Roof is on Fire, involved hundreds of high school students engaging in unscripted conversations about their lives, while sitting on parked cars, observed by a large audience.
