Rick Lowe: In Spite Of

Rick Lowe is an American artist who pairs paintings, drawings, and installations with collaborative, community-based projects developed in the tradition of Joseph Beuys’s concept of “social sculpture.” Working closely with individuals and communities, he has identified many ways to harness creativity to address concerns around equity and justice. Beginning with his co-founding of Project Row Houses (1993–2008) in Houston’s Third Ward and continuing through other initiatives across the United States and internationally, Lowe aims to catalyze sustainable change to promote understanding, equity, and justice. In this presentation, Lowe will discuss the collaborative work undertaken over the last two years with students and researchers at the University of Michigan resulting in a public art project and exhibition Black Wall Street Journey opening at UMMA and the Institute for Social Research in August 2026. 

Presented in partnership with the Penny Stamps Speaker Series, the Institute for Social Research, the Arts Initiative, and the University of Michigan Museum of Art as part of the 2026 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium.

Special thanks to the Institute for Social Research, Arts Initiative, Political Science Professor Dr. Christian Davenport, Professor of Art Nicole Marroquin, independent curator Abigail Winograd, and the dozens of students who have participated in Rick Lowe’s residency and contributed to the upcoming exhibition.