Kalup Linzy

Kalup Linzy is primarily known for his live performances, video works, and animation that invoke a satirical narrative inspired by soap operas and Hollywood melodramas to investigate stereotypes around sexual identity, race, and gender.

His films have a decidedly home-made aesthetic and are, in turn, hilarious and moving. Linzy himself often stars, inhabiting a range of characters—bewigged and in drag—who relate the quotidian but at times outrageous trials of everyday rural life. He employs a sly humor to skewer both icons of the New York art world and reality TV shows.

More recently, Linzy has produced an album and performance piece with James Franco, created an opera that debuted at SFMOMA, and shot two music videos for the hot fashion line, Proenza Schouler. He inherits the legacy of a long line of versatile and provocative performance artists including RuPaul and Jack Smith.

Click here to read our interview with Kalup Linzy about working with James Franco and being inspired by Andy Warhol.