Louise Bourgeois
1911-2010 · French-American (Paris/New York) · Modern / Contemporary Art
Known for: Sculptor of giant spiders and deeply autobiographical explorations of trauma, sexuality, and the body
Bourgeois was one of the most long-lived and productive artists in history - making major work past 95. Her giant spider sculptures (Maman) and installations explore childhood trauma (her father's affair with her governess), motherhood, sexuality, and betrayal.
She was psychoanalyzed for decades and saw art as therapeutic. Her fame came late - she was 71 when MoMA gave her a retrospective.
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