Photography by Bobby Fisher

Thelma Golden

Chief Curator and Director, the Studio Museum in Harlem

What’s one book, work of art, album, or film that got you through an important moment in your life?

My life has always been deeply informed by works of art, books, and film. In so many ways, these incredibly valuable expressions of culture made me a curator. Recently, Christina Sharpe’s Ordinary Notes has been a profound way of thinking about life, and particularly Black life, right now.

Name an influence of yours that might surprise people.

Sidney Lumet’s 1978 film, The Wiz, which was a Black reimagining of The Wizard of Oz inspired by the 1975 Broadway musical The Wiz: The Super Soul Musical “Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” The film marked the beginning of my interest in an aesthetic future through the imaginings, and reimaginings, of culture.

““My life has always been deeply informed by works of art, books, and film.””

Who do you call the most?

This may not surprise people. Glenn Ligon!

When you were little, what were you known for?

My deep interest in, and love for, the arts. I have my parents to thank for that. They would take me all over Manhattan to see a great number of different forms of art, whether that be Broadway shows, museum or gallery exhibitions, or concerts at Carnegie Hall.

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