Bruce Nauman

Much of Bruce Nauman’s artwork is characterized by an interest in language, often manifesting itself in a playful, mischievous manner. There are, however, very serious concerns at the heart of Nauman’s practice. He is fascinated by the nature of communication and language’s inherent problems, as well as the role of the artist as supposed communicator and manipulator of visual symbols.Nauman studied mathematics and physics at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and art with William T. Wiley and Robert Arneson at the University of California, Davis. He worked as an assistant to artist Wayne Thiebaud, and in 1966 he became a teacher at the San Francisco Art Institute. In 1968 he met the singer and performance artist Meredith Monk and signed with the dealer Leo Castelli. In 1979, Nauman moved to New Mexico, where he continues to work and live along with his wife, the painter Susan Rothenberg.Author, art historian Joan Simon: http://www.speronewestwater.com/cgi-bin/iowa/articles/record.html?record=628