William Pope.l
Artist
William Pope.L, who calls himself “The Friendliest Black Artist in America©” is among the foremost contemporary performance artists. He addresses labor, race, and identity in projects both searing and humorous. Asked if he considers himself an activist, he replied: “When people use the word activism today, it sounds like after-ism…The space I create in my work for others is more formalist, like, ‘change the world’” Among his numerous iconic pieces is The Great White Way, 22 miles, 9 years, 1 street, for which Pope.L donned a cape-less Superman costume, strapped a skateboard to his back, and dragged himself up the entire length of Manhattan’s Broadway—a visceral, ridiculous, poignant display, of, in his words, “public prostration in motion.”
Pope.L was presented with the American Spirit Award for Activism in the Arts by Diandra Luker at The Common Good’s American Spirit Awards 2015.
Twitter: @WilliamPopeL
