CalArts Alum Joins MacArthur ‘Genius’ Ranks

On Tuesday, renowned contemporary artist Mark Bradford (Art BFA 1995, MFA 1997) was named a 2009 MacArthur Fellow and recipient of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s $500,000 “genius award” grant.

The Los Angeles-based artist has had a long history with CalArts and REDCAT, both as a student and as a professional artist. He was a featured artist in REDCAT’s exhibition Bounce during its 2003-04 inaugural season, and in 2008, Bradford was recognized for his artistic achievements at the REDCAT Gala, with an award presented by the writer and New Yorker theater critic Hilton Als and REDCAT Gallery Director and Curator Clara Kim.

“Mark’s artistic career has skyrocketed since REDCAT first presented his work in 2004. I can’t imagine anyone who is more deserving of this honor and recognition. His ambition and generosity have grown equally,” says Kim. “We are ecstatic for him and so proud to have shared the past five years in the company of an incredible mind, visionary and friend.”

Learn more about Bradford’s MacArthur genius award.

Click through the gallery below for a look at Bradford’s work:
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3 Comments

  1. Marco Mehmet // //

    last year I happened to see Bradford’s work in New York. I’ll say I Really love his work! He is as informed by his personal background as a 3 generation merchant there as it is by the tradition of abstract painting developed worldwide in the 20th Century.