Beginning February 1, internationally renowned artist Carrie Mae Weems will serve a three-year term as University Artist in Residence at Syracuse University in New York. She will work with students — on main campus and in Syracuse University locations abroad — in the design, planning, and preparation of major exhibitions in Madrid, Los Angeles, New York, and other venues.
Weems is a photographer and video artist whose works have been exhibited at some of the premier art museums in the United States. A former MacArthur Fellow, she was the first African American woman to have a retrospective at the Guggenheim Museum in New York City.
“Carrie is one of the most influential visual artists of our time, who uses the power of her art to confront subjects that force us to think, to feel uncomfortable at times, to ponder our own biases and beliefs,” says John Liu, interim vice chancellor and provost at Syracuse University. “We are honored and thrilled that she accepted the University Artist in Residence position and will be able to share her extraordinary experiences with our students and campus community.”
Weems has previously taught the courses Art in Civic Engagement and Art and Social Dialogue at Syracuse University. The university has also awarded her an honorary doctorate.
“I am thrilled and delighted to be returning to Syracuse University as its first Artist in Residence. It’s an incredible honor, and I very much look forward to participating fully in the life of the university while working closely with engaged students, faculty, and staff,” Weems says. “As before, my hope here is to engage some of the important issues of our time through the role of the artist in contemporary society. It’s going to be fun, fascinating and hard. I welcome students and faculty interested in social justice to join me.”
Weems is a graduate of the California Institute of the Arts and holds a master of fine arts degree from the University of California at San Diego.
