Pope.L, Pioneering Conceptual and Performance Artist, Passes Away at 68

Pope.L, a renowned conceptual and performance artist known for his exploration of race, class, and societal inequalities, has died at the age of 68. His passing was confirmed by his gallery, Mitchell-Innes & Nash, although no cause of death was provided.

Pope.L was widely recognized in the art world for his diverse career spanning various mediums, including writing, photography, painting, sculpture, and performance art. His work delved into the challenges and distinctions faced by Black Americans and the working class. Known for his intense and provocative performances, Pope.L often used his own presence to shock and engage viewers.

One of his most famous performances was “The Great White Way: 22 Miles, 9 Years, 1 Street, Broadway, New York,” where he crawled the length of Broadway dressed as Superman. This act, filled with satire and resistance, shed light on the experiences of subjugation faced by Black Americans and drew attention to the marginalized individuals that society often ignored.

Pope.L’s impact came from his ability to distill complex and unsettling truths about American society into his artwork. He defied expectations and refused to provide easily digestible political messages. Instead, his work challenged viewers to confront uncomfortable realities.

Throughout his career, Pope.L performed a range of thought-provoking acts, including eating pieces of The Wall Street Journal while sitting on a toilet, covering himself in white substances, and even pulling an eight-ton truck through Cleveland with the help of volunteers. He was also known as “the friendliest Black artist in America,” a title he copyrighted for himself.

Pope.L was not only an artist but also a dedicated teacher. He taught at Bates College in Maine and later joined the visual arts department at the University of Chicago. His contributions to the art world and his commitment to his students will be remembered.

In recent years, Pope.L continued to create impactful installations and exhibitions. His most recent show, “Impossible Failures,” featured an inaccessible white room and explored collapsing social structures. He leaves behind a significant legacy that challenged societal norms and highlighted the often-overlooked issues of race and class.

Pope.L was born William Pope on June 28, 1955, in Newark, New Jersey. He is survived by his partner, Mami Takahashi, his younger brother, Eugene Pope, and his son, Desmond Tarkowski-Pope.

Despite his passing, Pope.L’s groundbreaking contributions to the art world will continue to inspire and provoke conversations about race, class, and inequality.