Artist Jeffrey Gibson to Speak at Cornell

Gibson, known for his immersive work exploring belonging, will deliver the spring 2026 John A. Cooper Visiting Artist Lecture.

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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Jeffrey Gibson, an interdisciplinary artist whose work utilizes layered materials and reference points to explore ideas around belonging, will give a public talk at Cornell University's College of Architecture, Art and Planning on March 24 as the spring 2026 John A. Cooper Visiting Artist Lecture Series speaker.

Why it matters

Gibson was the first Indigenous artist to represent the U.S. with a solo exhibition at the prestigious Venice Biennale, and his work is part of the permanent collections of institutions across the country. His upcoming lecture is an opportunity for the Cornell and local art community to engage with an acclaimed artist whose practice challenges traditional boundaries.

The details

In advance of his visit, Gibson spoke with the college about the evolution of his process-based, collage-like work, which incorporates materials from dance, music and performance. He discussed how the literal meaning of those materials has informed his practice over time, as well as the role that music and sound play in his multidisciplinary installations.

  • Jeffrey Gibson will give his public talk on March 24, 2026.
  • Gibson's 54th birthday is in March 2026.

The players

Jeffrey Gibson

An interdisciplinary artist whose immersive work explores ideas around belonging and utilizes layered materials and reference points.

College of Architecture, Art and Planning

The college hosting Gibson's lecture as part of the John A. Cooper Visiting Artist Lecture Series.

John A. Cooper

An alumnus who supports the lecture series that is bringing Gibson to Cornell's Ithaca campus.

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What they’re saying

“For a lot of young artists, you don't really know where your career is going to take you or even if you're going to have a career. I feel like I was adding materials almost as a way of being literal about what I was trying to communicate about cultural lineage and practices.”

— Jeffrey Gibson, Artist (Mirage News)

“If you imagine that there's a line between cultural understanding or cultural meaning, the materials were able to volley the ball to the other side. Then as an artist, the challenge is: Now I want to volley it back.”

— Jeffrey Gibson, Artist (Mirage News)

What’s next

In advance of Gibson's March 24 lecture, the College of Architecture, Art and Planning will host a series of events and workshops to engage the community with the artist's practice.

The takeaway

Jeffrey Gibson's upcoming lecture at Cornell offers a rare opportunity to hear from an acclaimed interdisciplinary artist whose bold, layered work challenges traditional boundaries and explores themes of belonging and cultural identity.