Lorna Simpson Movies
- 2008
Directed by filmmaker Timothy Greenfield-Sanders and produced by journalist Elvis Mitchell, this collaborative documentary offers an informative collection of portraits of twenty influential African Americans ranging from powerful CEOs to prolific artists, well-known politicians, and dedicated activists. Artist Bill T. Jones discusses the reaction of his contemporaries after he described himself as an artist first and a black man second, Chris Rock describes how equality in sports didn't come about until there were bad black athletes in the major leagues, and Vernon Jordan ponders the reason why there is a clear definition of black America while white America remains a vague, undefined standard. Other conversations find Academy Award-winning actor Lou Gossett Jr. discussing institutionalized racism and its effect on his onscreen career, museum curator Thelma Golden reflecting on the times when people mistakenly assumed she was her own assistant, and, by contrast, the manner in which author Toni Morrison was encouraged as a young girl to believe that women can be just as strong as men. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elvis Mitchell
- 1997
This ten-part series profiles current leading artists and shows them starting and completing major artworks, often in conjunction with other artists. Each episode explores how art can serve as a unique and highly effective means of communication. This episode examines the work of Lorna Simpson, who attended New York City's School of Visual Arts. Though she is well known for her unusual portraits of African-American women, this program focuses on her creation of a landscape silk-screened onto felt. The other nine artists profiled in this series are Guillermo Gomez-Peña, Bill Viola, Hung Liu, June Wayne, Milton Resnick, Beverly Buchanan, Judy Baca, the group Goat Island, and Mierle Ukeles). ~ Elizabeth Smith, All Movie Guide
