Usually the things that are the farthest out — that look the least like art to me — are the things that become the most important.

American painter Glenn Ligon is one of the most recognizable figures in the contemporary art scene. His distinctive, political work uses repetition and transformation to abstract the texts of 20th-century writers.

In this episode, Ligon talks about childhood and what it means to have a parent who fiercely and playfully supports you. He also discusses the essential lesson that there’s value in the things you do differently, and why he won’t take an afternoon nap in his own studio. 

Courtney Bryan

Pamela Z 

Samiya Bashir

Thelma Golden

Robert O’Meally

Romare Beardon

Toni Morrison

Lorna Simpson

Margaret Naumberg

The Walden School

Mike D - Beastie Boys

Murders of Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner

Davóne Tines

Chris Ofili 

Henry Threadgill

Frédéric Bruly Bouabré

“How It Feels to Be Colored Me”

Saidiya Hartman

Fred Moten

Jason Moran