Theaster Gates: Social Practice Artist

Many people view art as a way to impact the world around them. It can deliver complex messages in a concise way that resonates with viewers. Social practice is a special type of art that is created using people and the communities they are a part of.

One of the most prominent artists in the country involved with social practice is Theaster Gates. Gates is a social practice installation artist based in Chicago, whose works have resonated with countless individuals across the country.

Gates was born in Chicago in 1973. In his youth, he was inspired by the music in the Black churches he frequented. This would later motivate him to study urban planning, city design, ceramics, and religion. Gates has degrees from Iowa State University as well as the University of Cape Town.

Stony Island Arts Bank

Gates is known for creating thought-provoking art installations in the form of sculptures made from tar, clay, and renovated buildings. He takes existing materials from urban neighbourhoods and transforms them to deliver messages of social progress. However, Gates’ works aren’t just there to wow viewers. He uses the profits he makes from his art installations to rehabilitate city blocks in Chicago.

Gates runs a non-profit known as Rebuild Foundation. This foundation has undertaken numerous projects around Chicago such as Black Cinema House, Dorchester Art and Housing Collaborative, Stony Island Arts Bank. Gates’ installations convey messages about his African-American background and his interest in civil rights. His sculptures incorporate everyday objects such as fire hoses and often feature choir performances from his own musical group Black Monks of Mississippi.

Despite much of his work focusing on Chicago, Gates has many fans across the world. He has exhibited his works and performed at various international venues including Palais de Tokyo in France, Sprengel Museum Hannover in Germany, Kunstmuseum Basel in Switzerland.

In addition to drawing inspiration from black music, Gates is also fascinated with the skills involved in manual labor. He finds simple acts such as swinging an axe with precision to be compelling. In fact, he swung an axe at one of his own paintings at the National Gallery of art, and created a “wound” at its center. He states that the performance piece paid tribute to the fact that poor black schools across the country were shutting down.

One of Gate’s most recent shows titled “Black Vessel” was held at Gagosian Gallery in New York City. The show features a combination of themes ranging from manual labor, family bonds, and maternal love. The installation featured roofing materials, which paid tribute to Gates’ father who used to work as a roofer.

Gates is still producing thought-provoking art to this day. He is currently a professor at the University of Chicago’s Visual Arts and the College department, and also serves as senior advisor for Cultural Innovation to the Dean.