Lynn Hershman Leeson

Hyperallergic: Writing My Own Artistic Origin Story by Lynn Hershman Leeson

Excerpt

I didn’t speak until I was almost seven. But just because I was not speaking, did not mean I was not listening.

While reading an old issue of the art journal Frieze, I came across the American poet Kevin Killian’s stunning and intimate obituary of the artist Lutz Bacher. His appreciation of this artist’s persona prompted me to message Kevin. I conveyed my gratitude for his deeply moving memorial. Then I asked if he might write my obituary, too.

‘Kevin,’ I replied, ‘I really do want to commission you to write my obit. I am afraid no one will know who I was or anything about my work.’”