James Turrell (American, b.1943) was born on May 6, 1943, in Los Angeles, CA, to Quaker parents. When he was 16 years old, Turrell earned a pilot’s licence, and he went on to fly supplies to mine sites in remote areas. In 1961, the artist graduated from Pasadena High School. He earned a BA in Psychology from Pomona College in 1965, and went on to obtain an MA in Art from Claremont Graduate School.
Turrell is known to be primarily concerned with
space and light in his work. In 1966, the artist began to experiment with light at the Mendota Hotel. During this time period, a Light and Space group of Los Angeles artists was beginning to rise to fame. This group included artists such as
Doug Wheeler (American, b.1939) and
Robert Irwin (American, b.1928).
Turrell has received various prestigious honors throughout his career. In 1974, the artist was awarded the Guggenheim Fellowship, and in 1991, he was honored with the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres in France. Turrell’s work has been shown in numerous solo and group exhibitions around the world. He has exhibited at Gagosian Gallery, in London, UK, MoMA PS1, in New York, NY, Museum für Moderne Kunst, in Frankfurt, Germany, and more. The artist currently lives and works in Flagstaff, AZ.