“Borne by the River,” 2017, Sanford Biggers, at Boesky West Gallery
In a town where there is a conspicuous disparity between the haves and the have-nots, there is also a potential to work toward more intercommunal relationships, says Sanford Biggers, the Harlem-based interdisciplinary artist who designed this year’s Aspen Music Festival and School summer program cover. Biggers says his inspiration for the cover is a response to justice issues—or lack thereof—in the U.S. and abroad, focusing on people of color. The walls of Biggers’ childhood home displayed positive images of black and brown people created by black and brown artists; this early exposition instituted his understanding of how artwork could simultaneously stimulate and educate. Well-versed in film, installation, sculpture, music and performance mediums, Biggers’ overall artistic motivation stems from a “commitment to resisting historical amnesia” and a wish to “point out aspects of history that might have gone unreported or overlooked,” he says. Between opening shows at Boesky West Gallery and Baldwin Gallery this summer and presenting a lecture at Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Biggers hopes to facilitate conversations and the commingling of communities, minds and ideas. July 3, 12:30pm, free, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, 5263 Owl Creek Road
Photography by: boesky west gallery
