Jenny Holzer

Jenny Holzer (born July 29, 1950) is an American Neo-conceptual art artist who utilizes the rhetoric of modern information systems so as to address the politics of discourse. In 1989 she became the first female artist to represent the United States at Italy's Venice Biennale. Holzer lives and works in Hoosick Falls, New York.

Early life and education

Holzer was born in Gallipolis, Ohio. Originally aspiring to become an abstract painter, her studies included general art courses at Duke University, Durham, NC (1968–1970), and then painting, printmaking and drawing at the University of Chicago, before completing her BFA at Ohio University, Athens (1972). In 1974, Holzer took summer courses at the Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, entering its MFA programme in 1975. In 1976 she moved to Manhattan, participating in the Whitney Museum's independent study program and beginning her first work with language, installation and public art. She was also an active member of the artists group Colab.