United States 
Borealis Foods Launches Innovative Ramen Products in Walmart Stores Across the U.S.
2 years ago
Lonnie Holley is an acclaimed American artist, art educator, and musician, recognized for his improvisational creativity across multiple mediums.
In January of 2014, Holley completed a one-month artist-in-residence with the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation in Captiva Island, Florida, site of the acclaimed artist's former home and studio. Rauschenberg's "Art-In-America" project of 1985-1991, which utilized found materials from around the world, deeply resonated with Holley's own practice.
Artangel commissioned Lonnie Holley to create a song cycle inspired by the landscape of Orford Ness, a former military testing site on the Suffolk coast. This led to a two-week residency in rural Suffolk in February 2022.
Edel Assanti gallery in London hosted "The Growth of Communication," an exhibition of Lonnie Holley's recent paintings and sculptures, which launched concurrently with Artangel’s online film, 'The Edge of What'.
The Arts Center will host multidisciplinary artist Lonnie Holley for a two-week performance residency, 'SEEDS: A Lonnie Holley Residency,' from October 21–November 1, 2025. The residency will culminate in public performances and hands-on workshops.
Lonnie Holley was born on February 10, 1950, in Birmingham, Alabama, during the Jim Crow era. His early life was marked by significant hardship, including working various jobs from the age of five and spending time in a juvenile facility. He began his artistic journey in 1979 by carving tombstones for his sister’s two children who tragically died in a house fire, using discarded sandstone blocks. This act marked a spiritual awakening and led him to create more carvings and assemble found objects into art in his yard.
In 1981, Holley’s work gained recognition when the Birmingham Museum of Art director, Richard Murray, displayed some of his sandstone carvings. This exposure led to his work being acquired by institutions such as the American Folk Art Museum and the High Museum of Art. His yard eventually became an immersive art environment, although it faced threats from urban development. In 1997, after a dispute with the Birmingham International Airport over their plans to condemn his property, a settlement was reached allowing him to relocate his family and art to Harpersville, Alabama. Holley became a popular figure at children’s art events, where he shared his creative process and taught young people to carve stone.
Holley’s professional music career began in 2006, leading to his debut album, “Just Before Music,” in 2012. He continued to release critically acclaimed albums, including “Keeping a Record of It” (2013), “MITH” (2018), “National Freedom” (2020), a collaboration with Matthew E. White titled “Broken Mirror: A Selfie Reflection” (2021), and “Oh Me Oh My” (2023). His improvisational musical style and unique artistic vision have garnered significant attention, with “Pitchfork” giving his albums high ratings and “Paste” including “Oh Me Oh My” in its list of Top 10 albums of 2023. His multi-disciplinary work continues to be exhibited in major art institutions and featured in media globally.
Curious about our offerings or have inquiries? We're eager to assist!
Just complete the form, and we'll respond promptly.
