Otis Houston Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1954 (age 69–70) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Artist |
Otis Houston Jr. (born 1954 in Greenville, South Carolina, U.S.) is a New York based artist, known for installing and performing his work in public along FDR Drive in Manhattan. [1] [2] [3] Houston sometimes presents his work as Black Cherokee. [4]
Early life
Houston grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and moved to New York in 1969. [1] He served seven years in prison on several drug charges. [1] During his incarceration, Houston developed his art practice. [1]
Art practice
Houston has been performing in public along FDR Drive at 122nd St, since 1997. [1] [3] [5] His work typically takes form as performance (often spoken word), sculpture, and text-based pieces. [4] His sculptures employ found materials collected in his apartment building or where he works, including towels, chairs, and doors. [2] During the day, he works as a custodian in an office building. [1] [6]
Exhibitions
Houston has exhibited his work at several New York galleries, including Canada, Room East, and Gordon Robichaux, where he is represented. [2] [7] He has also shown at Socrates Sculpture Park. [2] Houston opened his first institutional exhibition at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in October 2022. [8]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Sheets, Hilarie M. (2021-05-04). "An Artist Who Built His Audience by the Side of the Road". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-03-21.
- ^ a b c d Russeth, Andrew (2018-12-14). "'We Are the Canvas': Storied New York Highway Performer Otis Houston Jr. on His New Work". ARTnews.com. Retrieved 2022-03-21.
- ^ a b Hopkins, Zoë (2021-04-06). "Otis Houston Jr". The Brooklyn Rail. Retrieved 2022-03-21.
- ^ a b "Otis Houston Jr. (AKA Black Cherokee)". Socrates Sculpture Park. Retrieved 2022-03-21.
- ^ "Hit the Streets: Otis Houston Jr.'s Call for Response". Whitehot Magazine of Contemporary Art. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
- ^ Kilgannon, Corey (2012-10-16). "After 15 Years, a Roadside Performer Is Getting the Spotlight". City Room. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
- ^ Armstrong, Annie (2019-01-08). "Gordon Robichaux Gallery Now Represents KIOSK and Otis Houston Jr". ARTnews.com. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
- ^ "Otis Houston Jr.: My Name is My Word". John Michael Kohler Arts Center. Retrieved 2022-11-18.