Aspen is a place for leaders to lift their sights above the possessions which possess them. To confront their own nature as human beings, to regain control over their own humanity by becoming more self-aware, more self-correcting, and hence more self-fulfilling.

Walter P. Paepcke, Aspen Institute Co-Founder

2024/25 Harman/Eisner Artist in Residence

Photo of artist Hank Willis Thomas sitting on a stool in front of a yellow background.
Credit: Jai Lennard

2024/25 Harman/Eisner Artist in Residence
Hank Willis Thomas

Hank Willis Thomas will serve as the Aspen Institute Arts Program 2024/25 Harman/Eisner Artist in Residence. In this role, Thomas will offer his artistic vision to various Policy Programs, events, leadership activities, and more in Aspen, New York, Washington, D.C., and elsewhere.

“I’m excited to collaborate with an organization that is asking the same critical questions about our society and humanity as I am in my work,” said Hank Willis Thomas. “I’m looking forward to driving essential conversations with this diverse group of changemakers.”

Thomas is a conceptual artist working primarily with themes related to perspective, identity, commodity, media, and popular culture. His work has been exhibited globally and includes public artworks such as The Embrace, honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King, Boston, MA; REACH in collaboration with Coby Kennedy at O’Hare Airport, Chicago, IL; and Opportunity (Reflection), commissioned by the NFL. His collaborative projects include The Truth Booth; The Writing on the Wall; The Gun Violence Memorial Project; and For Freedoms, an artist-led organization that models and increases creative civic engagement, discourse, and direct action.

Later this year, the next public art installment of The Gun Violence Memorial Project will be traveling to Boston, MA. Previous locations included the National Building Museum, Washington, D.C., and the Chicago Architecture Biennial. The Memorial was conceived by MASS Design Group and conceptual artist Hank Willis Thomas in partnership with gun violence prevention organizations Purpose Over Pain and Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund.

Images communicate truths, and also lies. Learning to pay attention to photographs can help us discern. Watch Hank Willis Thomas’ Aspen Ideas session from the 2024 Festival on how to read the visual record in the context of racial justice and equity.