Martha Wilson (December 18, 1947 – ) is a pioneering figure in performance, artists’ books, and arts administration, described by New York Times critic Holland Cotter as one “the half dozen most important people in art for downtown Manhattan.” Moving to New in 1974, she became interested in the newly flourishing interest in artists books and performance art, observing that these practices they did not fit in the existing gallery and museum system. To meet these needs, in 1976 she founded Franklin Furnace, a seminal alternative space who gave initial New York exposure to such figures as Jenny Holzer, Barbara Kruger, Tehching Hsieh, Eric Bogosian, Lorraine O’Grady and Karen Finley. Throughout her years director of Franklin Furnace she pursued her career as an artist and performer. Her works explore the subjectivity of female role playing via costume and makeup transformation and assuming the personae of others through a feminist and political lens. Her work includes photographs, video, text, and participation in Disband, the all-girl punk conceptual band.
Martha Wilson
