Lonnie Holley

The first major monograph on a multifaceted self-taught artist whose work ranges from painting and sculpture to performance and sound. Lonnie Holley’s work has captivated viewers for decades, and his recent exhibitions have marked a career milestone and generated critical acclaim.

“Lonnie Holley has held a cult status among the art cognoscenti for a long time as a visual artist and performer.” —New York Times



Part of the Souls Grown Deep diaspora, Lonnie Holley’s widely admired practice spans painting, drawing, assemblage sculpture, and performance that combines experimental music and poetry. After decades of making art, he is now getting the recognition he richly deserves.

The artist’s first sculptures were carved tombstones for his nieces who perished in a house fire in 1979. Over the following years, he devoted himself to making sculptures that populated his property near Birming