Known for taking art out of the traditional “white cube” of galleries and museums and onto the streets, Jenny Holzer is one of the most potent feminist Neo-Conceptual artists of the 20th century. Her most iconic work critiques the information age and consumerism by reclaiming its primary media — conventional print billboards, storefront posters and LED signs.
“I used language because I wanted to offer content that people — not necessarily art people — could understand,” the Ohio-born Holzer told Interview magazine. She received her MFA in painting from Rhode Island School of Design, where her work was influenced by Abstract Expressionism. It was while in the Independent Study Program at the Whitney Museum of American Art that Holzer became inspired to work at the intersection of public art and language.
In the late 1970s, after becoming an active participant in the downtown Manhattan artist collective Colab, which included Tom Otterness and Christy Rupp, Holzer began to create her legendary “Truisms” series. Printing anonymous one-line aphorisms in bold and italicized text on broadsheets, she pasted them up in public spaces all over New York City. The “Truisms” are provocative in questioning how we receive and process information. The work elicits debate and represents a range of perspectives. In an era that saw the rise of street art and graffiti, Holzer’s pithy word art would also find viewers by way of T-shirts, stickers and park benches, into which her slogans were carved.
Holzer’s more combative “Inflammatory Essays” (1979–82) took the form of mass-produced posters on colored paper — each featuring paragraphs as compared to the punch-line structure of “Truisms.” These touched on subjects such as violence, misogyny, power structures and consumerism, all of which have continued to be central in her work.
Starting in 1982 as part of a Public Art Fund project, Holzer projected “Protect me from what I want” and other “Truisms” on the Spectacolor board, a large computerized light signboard in New York City’s Times Square. Her “Abuse of power comes as no surprise,” which has appeared on T-shirts as part of the series, has taken on new life in an increasingly politically divided America.
Just as it did in the 1970s, the forcefulness of her work continues to make both viewers and the art world stop and pay attention. She has had solo exhibitions at the Brooklyn Museum, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the Tate Modern in London and elsewhere. She has also created permanent installations including the New York City AIDS Memorial. A 2014 show at New York’s Cheim & Read featured oil-on-linen canvases based on declassified government files pertaining to detainees from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Find Jenny Holzer prints and sculptures on 1stDibs.
$30,000
Selections from the Living Series: It is hard to know what people want...
By Jenny Holzer
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Edition of 3 Acquired by current owner from Sotheby's Sale in 2021 Other works from this series have been acquired by The Whitney Museum of American Art, MOMA, National Gallery of ...
Bronze
The Skateroom x Jenny Holzer "Impeach" Marble Limited Edition Skateboard Deck
By Jenny Holzer
Located in Jersey City, NJ
The Skateroom x Jenny Holzer One skateboard deck Solid marble with engraving 31 x 8 inches Limited Edition of 25, unnumbered Hand-signed Certificate of Authenticity included SHIPPI...
Marble
Jenny Holzer, Inflammatory Essays (twelve works) – 12 Prints from 1982
By Jenny Holzer
Located in Hamburg, DE
Jenny Holzer (American, b. 1950) Inflammatory Essays (twelve works), 1982 Medium: Set of 12 offset lithographs on colored paper Dimensions: 25.4 x 25.4 cm (10 x 10 in) Edition: Issue...
Offset
Jenny Holzer, Inflammatory Essays: Shriek When the Pain Hits...
By Jenny Holzer
Located in Hamburg, DE
Jenny Holzer (American, b. 1950) Inflammatory Essays: Shriek When the Pain Hits During Interrogation, 1996 Multiple: Pewter multiple with engraved text Dimensions: 6.6 × 5 × 1.1 cm (...
Metal
Survival Pencils
By Jenny Holzer
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Jenny Holzer's menacing "Truisms" first appeared in 1983 when the artist was invited to participate in a group show exploring the themes and dialogue from George Orwell's "1984". O...
Pencil
More Trouble Than Thought, Screen Print with Palladium Leaf, 2021
By Jenny Holzer
Located in Manchester, GB
Jenny Holzer, More Trouble Than Thought, 2021 Screen print with palladium leaf finish on paper 23 3/5 × 29 9/10 in (60 × 76 cm) Edition 31 of 125 Hand-signed by artist and numbered ...
Screen
Jenny Holzer, Inflammatory Essays 3 - LED Sculpture, Light Art, Text-based Art
By Jenny Holzer
Located in Hamburg, DE
Jenny Holzer (American, b. 1950) Inflammatory Essays 3, 1982/2002 Medium: Electronic tri-color mini-LED panel, with anodized aluminium housing, incl. power adapter Dimensions: 10.1 x...
LED Light
$8,500
Jenny Holzer -USE WHAT IS DOMINANT IN A CULTURE TO CHANGE IT: Signed glass bowl
By Jenny Holzer
Located in New York, NY
Jenny Holzer USE WHAT IS DOMINANT IN A CULTURE TO CHANGE IT, 2003 Hand Blown Glass Bowl 4 × 10 × 10 inches Edition 68/200 Signed and numbered 68/200 on the underside with Holzer's in...
Blown Glass, Engraving
Half Dead, "Inflammatory Essay" (from Documenta 1982)
By Jenny Holzer
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Jenny Holzer is one of the most important and original artists of the 20th century. Her body of work, with its emphasis on text, is provocative and occasionally frightening, manipulating the language of folk wisdom, pop culture, and government slogan to produce a commentary on global issues including power structures, gender struggle, economics, voting, and warfare. Holzer's iconic "Inflammatory Essays", produced between 1979 and 1982, were first pasted on walls throughout heavily populated metro areas including New York, and shortly after in other cities. Unsigned and commercially produced, they subverted the conventions of advertising, graffiti, and public art. Each essay was in a different eye-catching color to maximize viewers' attention. It was also helpful when one Essay replaced an older one. The texts were derived from her childhood interest in rapturous writings. Holzer tried to emulate a similar style for her essays, yet borrowed from political theorists (notably Mao, Lenin, and Emma Goldman...
Lithograph, Offset
End of the USA
By Jenny Holzer
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Jenny Holzer is one of the most important and original artists of the 20th century. Her body of work, with an emphasis on text, is consistently provocative and occasionally frightening, manipulating the language of both pop culture and government slogan to produce commentary on global issues notably power structures and warfare. Holzer's iconic "Inflammatory Essays", produced between 1979 and 1982, were first pasted on walls throughout heavily populated metro areas including New York and other cities. Composed of anonymous statements, printed on friendly or calm colored papers, the statements were influenced by writings of major political figures such as Emma Goldman...
Offset
Jenny Holzer, Top Secret 32 (from Water Boarding Series), Signed Print
By Jenny Holzer
Located in Hamburg, DE
Jenny Holzer (American, b. 1950) Top Secret 32, 2012 Medium: Template reservage technique, on 350 g/qm wove paper Dimensions: 90.5 × 70 cm (35 3/5 × 27 3/5 in) Edition: From the seri...
Handmade Paper, Other Medium
Jenny Holzer, AKA: Portfolio of 5 Etchings, Contemporary Art, Signed Print
By Jenny Holzer
Located in Hamburg, DE
Jenny Holzer (American, b. 1950) AKA, 2006 Medium: Set of five etchings, on Magnani Pescia paper (with title page, sheets loose, in original black silk-covered portfolio case) Dimens...
Etching
$546
Torture Is Barbaric -- Print, Postcards, Text Art, Truisms by Jenny Holzer
By Jenny Holzer
Located in London, GB
Truisms [Torture Is Barbaric], after 1994 Jenny Holzer Screenprint on balsa wood multiple with text from the Survival (1983-1985) and Truisms (1977-1979) series Published by Fotofol...
Screen
Truth Before Power
By Jenny Holzer
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Jenny Holzer (b. 1950) is a multi-disciplinary American artist best known for her text-based public art projects. She was the first woman to represent the United States at the 1990 V...
Digital Pigment
$200
H 9.5 in W 7.25 in
"Portalito", Abstract Patterns, Geometric Abstraction, Woodcut Monoprint
By Alexis Nutini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This piece titled "Portalito" is an original piece by Alexis Nutini and is made from a woodcut monoprint mounted on panel. This piece measures 7.25"h x 9.5"w. Born in Mexico City, ...
Panel, Monoprint, Woodcut
$357Sale Price|45% Off
H 37.5 in W 18.5 in
Signed Days Gone Mezzotint Print, Contemporary, 1/100, Circa 2000-2009
By Jukka Vanttinen
Located in New Orleans, LA
Vanttinen created this mezzotint in an edition of 100 and it is titled and signed in pencil. Jukka Vanttinen (Finn, b. 1954) Jukka Vanttinen was introduced to the medium of mezzoti...
Mezzotint
$500
H 21.38 in W 8.5 in
Before It Happened (A mysterious staircase offers no clues as to what happened)
By Jukka Vanttinen
Located in New Orleans, LA
This Finnish artist creates a mezzotint in black and white. This impression is #44 of 100 and is signed, dated and titled in pencil. Jukka Vanttinen (Finn, b. 1954) Jukka Vanttinen...
Mezzotint
$400
H 14.5 in W 9.5 in
"Portal I", Abstract Patterns, Geometric Abstraction, Woodcut Monoprint on Panel
By Alexis Nutini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This piece titled "Portal I" is an original piece by Alexis Nutini and is made from a woodcut monoprint mounted on panel. This piece measures 14.5"h x 9.5"w. Born in Mexico City, A...
Panel, Monoprint, Woodcut, Paper
$1,346 / item
H 18.51 in W 14.18 in D 1.97 in
Contemporary Design 'Moss Wall Piece, by Andredottir & Bobek
By Andredottir & Bobek
Located in copenhagen, DK
One of a kind, contemporary design, meadow block side tables embody the surface of moss. Made by the art and design duo Andredottir & Bobek They have...
Foam
Walljewel White Onyx by Lisette Rützou
Located in Geneve, CH
Walljewel white onyx by Lisette Rützou Dimensions: 15 x H 42 cm Materials: Rose, Green and White Onyx Lisette Rützou’s design is motivated by an urge to articulate a story. Ins...
Onyx
$1,500 / item
H 24 in W 20 in D 0.1 in
Jenny Saville Chapter 'for Linda Nochlin' Limited Edition Print
By Phaidon
Located in New York, NY
Print: Full color digital archival print on Somerset Photo 330g/m2 Size: 610 x 508 mm (24 x 20 in) Edition of 100 Signed, dated, and numbered by the artist (2016-2018) Produced with the support of Kering, a global luxury group committed to the empowerment of women, this charitable limited-edition print is part of a portfolio celebrating Phaidon's Great Women Artists, the most extensive illustrated book on women artists ever published. The book tells the stories of over 400 artists spanning 500 years and reveals a parallel yet equally engaging history of art for an age that champions a great diversity of voices. The Great Women Artists print portfolio offers collectors the opportunity to acquire affordable works by some of the most celebrated and sought-after women artists of our time, while contributing to a worthy cause. Jenny Saville...
Paper
Walljewel by Lisette Rützou
Located in Geneve, CH
Walljewel by Lisette Rützou Dimensions: 15 x H 42 cm Materials: Rose, green and white onyx. Lisette Rützou’s design is motivated by an urge to articulate a story. Inspired by t...
Onyx
Luke Butler The End Limited Edition Print
By Phaidon
Located in New York, NY
Photograph Color photograph made with archival pigments on fine art rag paper with matte finish Size varies based on edition This work comes with a "Certificate of Authenticity". Luke Butler...
Paper
Nature Harmonieuse Wall Panel, Ludovic Clément D’armont
By Ludovic Clément d’Armont
Located in Geneve, CH
Nature Harmonieuse wall panel, Ludovic Clément d’Armont Dimensions: W 122 x D 17 x H 240 cm Materials: blown glass, brass, cut crystal, aluminum, ...
Crystal, Aluminum, Brass
$3,499 / set
H 35.44 in W 35.44 in D 0.79 in
Brutalist Contrasting Black and Silver Wall Sculpture, 1960s Designed in Belgium
Located in Antwerp, BE
A 1960s setting of a Brutalist Wall Sculpture in metal and aluminum, made by a Belgium Unknown Artist. The quarter-circle design allows for many pattern opti...
Aluminum, Iron
$3,300
H 51 in W 36 in D 0.5 in
"You Are ...." Contemporary Street Sign Sculpture
By Scott Froschauer
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Scott Froschauer is an experimental artist who lives and works in Los Angeles, where his primary focus is exploring new spaces and techniques for communication. This series "Word on ...
Metal
In a Glass House
By Jenny Holzer
Located in New Canaan, CT
Jenny Holzer In a glass house, 2018 Etched glass mirror 36 x 24 inches Edition of 15, 5 AP's Stamped and numbered Text from Philip Johnson: The Architect in His Own Words by Hilary L...
Mirror
'Truism 'Protect Me From What I Want' (framed)
By Jenny Holzer
Located in Manchester, GB
Jenny Holzer, 'Truism 'Protect Me From What I Want' Mixed media on wood Unframed 10.2 x 15.2 cm (4 x 6 in) Framed 22 x 27 cm (8.66 x 10.63 in) Jenny Holzer is an American conceptua...
Wood
Truism 'Protect Me From What I Want' (framed)
By Jenny Holzer
Located in Manchester, GB
Jenny Holzer, Truism 'Protect Me From What I Want' Mixed media on wood Unframed 10.2 x 15.2 cm (4 x 6 in) Framed 22 x 27 cm (8.66 x 10.63 in) Jenny Holzer is an American conceptual...
Wood
Truism 'Protect Me From What I Want' (framed)
By Jenny Holzer
Located in Manchester, GB
Jenny Holzer, Truism 'Protect Me From What I Want' Mixed media on wood Unframed 10.2 x 15.2 cm (4 x 6 in) Framed 22 x 27 cm (8.66 x 10.63 in) Jenny Holzer is an American conceptual...
Wood
Truism 'Protect Me From What I Want' (framed)
By Jenny Holzer
Located in Manchester, GB
Jenny Holzer, Truism 'Protect Me From What I Want' Mixed media on wood Unframed 10.2 x 15.2 cm (4 x 6 in) Framed 22 x 27 cm (8.66 x 10.63 in) Jenny Holzer is an American conceptual...
Wood
Untitled (From the Living Series)
By Jenny Holzer
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Jenny HOLZER (b. 1950) Untitled from the series THE LIVING SERIES, 1981 Bronze plaque. This work is the artist proof number 2 from an edition of 3 plus 2 artist’s proofs. 10 x 45.5 c...
Bronze
Truism 'Protect Me From What I Want' (framed)
By Jenny Holzer
Located in Manchester, GB
Jenny Holzer, Truism 'Protect Me From What I Want' Mixed media on wood Unframed 10.2 x 15.2 cm (4 x 6 in) Framed 22 x 27 cm (8.66 x 10.63 in) Jenny Holzer is an American conceptu...
Wood
Delicately Interconnected
By Jenny Holzer
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Jenny Holzer's menacing (and sometimes humorous) "Truisms" first appeared in the late 1970s in a variety of formats, but initially as a type of street art. Over the past four decad...
Screen
Ceramic Chargers
By Jenny Holzer
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Jenny Holzer's menacing (and sometimes humorous) "Truisms" first appeared in the late 1970s in a variety of forms, but initially oriented towards a type of street art. Over the pas...
Ceramic
Truth Before Power
By Jenny Holzer
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Jenny Holzer (b. 1950) is a multi-disciplinary American artist best known for her text-based public art projects. She was the first woman to represent the United States at the 1990 V...
Digital Pigment
Truisms Puzzle
By Jenny Holzer
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Jenny Holzer is one of the most important and influential artists of the 20th century. Her body of work, with its emphasis on text, is consistently provocative and occasionally frig...
Lithograph, Offset
Truisms (set of 12), by Jenny Holzer
By Jenny Holzer
Located in Dubai, Dubai
TRUISMS (SET OF 12), 2018 Screenprint on cherrywood 10 x 15 cm Copyright The Artist
Wood Panel, Screen