Reading the Art World

For the 27th episode of "Reading the Art World," host Megan Fox Kelly speaks with Eva Respini, author of “Simone Leigh,” published by DelMonico Books in association with the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston.

Eva Respini’s book offers a deep dive into the groundbreaking work of contemporary artist Simone Leigh, whose multidimensional artistry challenges conventions, and sparks meaningful conversations about race, gender, and identity. Through Eva's expertise, we'll uncover the complexities of Leigh's art, and gain a deeper understanding of its cultural significance.

Eva served as the Curator and Co-Commissioner for the 2022 US Pavilion’s presentation of Simone Leigh at the 59th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia. It marked the first time a Black woman represented the United States at the Biennale, and Leigh won the 2022 Golden Lion for her groundbreaking work.

Eva organized the highly successful mid-career survey of Simone Leigh's works, which opened at the ICA/Boston in April 2023 and will tour across the United States through 2025. In addition to the insightful writing from multiple perspectives of 22 contributing scholars and collaborators of Leigh's, the book is beautifully illustrated with plates that feature Leigh’s critically acclaimed work for the Biennale and works made throughout her career.

See an album of Simone Leigh’s Biennale exhibition.

Eva Respini is Deputy Director and Director of Curatorial Programs at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Between 2015-2023, Respini was Deputy Director and Barbara Lee Chief Curator at the Institute of Contemporary Art Boston (ICA/Boston). Prior to her tenure at the ICA/Boston, she served as Curator at the Museum of Modern Art for more than a decade in the department of photography. She currently teaches a seminar on curatorial practice at Harvard University's Graduate School of Design. Other universities where she has taught and lectured include School of Visual Arts, Columbia University; Yale University’s School of Art; and the School of Visual Arts, New York. Eva has published numerous books and catalogues and her writing appears in museum publications and periodicals. She received a BA and MA in art history from Columbia University and was a 2014 fellow at the Center for Curatorial Leadership.

"Reading the Art World" is a live interview and podcast series with leading art world authors hosted by art advisor Megan Fox Kelly. The conversations explore timely subjects in the world of art, design, architecture, artists and the art market, and are an opportunity to engage further with the minds behind these insightful new publications.

Megan Fox Kelly is an art advisor and past President of the Association of Professional Art Advisors who works with collectors, estates and foundations.

For more information, visit meganfoxkelly.com, hear our past interviews, and subscribe at the bottom of our Of Interest page for new posts.

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Purchase “Simone Leigh” at Delmonico Books.

Music composed by Bob Golden