The Gibbes Distinguished Lecture Series Presents Fred Wilson
The Gibbes Museum of Art is thrilled to present Fred Wilson as our 2019 Distinguished Lecture Speaker.
Fred Wilson (b. 1954, Bronx, New York) challenges assumptions of history, culture, race, and conventions of display with his work. By reframing objects and cultural symbols, he alters traditional interpretations, encouraging viewers to reconsider social and historical narratives. Since his groundbreaking and historically significant exhibition Mining the Museum (1992) at the Maryland Historical Society, Wilson has been the subject of many solo exhibitions. The artist’s many accolades include the prestigious John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s “Genius” Grant (1999); and the Ford Foundation's, The Art of Change Award (2017-18). Wilson was recently named the 2019 recipient of Brandeis University’s Creative Arts Award and is a trustee of the Whitney Museum of American Art.
Fred Wilson’s most recent body of work, an exhibition entitled Afro Kismet, was originally produced for the Istanbul Biennial in the Fall of 2017 and subsequently shown in New York and Los Angeles. Afro Kismet investigates the long-ignored presence of communities of African descent in Europe, and will open at the Gibbes Museum of Art in the Spring of 2020 to coincide with the world premiere of Rhiannon Giddens’ new opera for Spoleto Festival USA inspired by the autobiography of Omar Ibn Said. In addition to his work in Afro Kismet, Wilson will create a new installation for the Gibbes Museum comprising elements of Said’s autobiography and images of the scholar.
Location: Charleston Music Hall, 37 John Street, Charleston, SC
$60 Tier 1 Seating ($50 Member Price) | $40 Tier 2 Seating | $15 Students and Faculty with valid ID
$1,250 Premium Ticket: Includes 2 tickets to exclusive lunch with featured speaker, 2 preferred-seating tickets to the lecture, and a signed book. Please call 843-722-2706 ext. 241 to purchase a Premium Ticket.
All tickets, except Premium, will be sold through the Charleston Music Hall. Please visit the Charleston Music Hall website to purchase tickets.* Tickets may also be purchased by visiting or calling the box office Monday-Friday, 10am-3pm at 843-853-2252.
*Tickets purchased online are subject to fees. To avoid these fees, call or visit the Charleston Music Hall box office.
Founded with the generous support of Esther Ferguson. Additional support provided by Bank of America Private Bank, Lynch Cracraft Private Wealth Management of Raymond James, the Samuel Freeman Charitable Trust, the City of Charleston, and The Post and Courier.
