Lauren Halsey

Lauren Halsey's diverse artistic influences, including Afrofuturism, ancient Egyptian iconography, and the architecture and community in her native Los Angeles, feature prominently in her latest site-specific installation

In her 2023 site-specific work at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the eastside of south central los angeles hieroglyph prototype architecture (I), Lauren Halsey combines signs, symbols, and architecture from the past, present, and future to remix (or, as she says, “funkify") history. Known for her vibrant sculptures, mixed-media pieces, and large-scale installations, Halsey here critiques the gentrification of Black spaces by uniting ancient Egyptian–inspired iconography with contemporary advertising and representations of leaders and icons from her South Central, Los Angeles community. An insightful essay on Halsey's artistic process and an interview with the artist uncover her diverse influences—from ancient Egyptian relief carving to funk music, Afrofuturism, and LA architecture—while also discussing how her work focuses on community engagement and on creating spaces for people of color and the working class.

Published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art/Distributed by Yale University Press