Leon Golub and Nancy Spero

13 rooms in Artist and Society

Sharing a living and working studio for over thirty years, the artistic dialogue of these two artists produced extraordinary bodies of politically-engaged art

Leon Golub (1922–2004) and Nancy Spero (1926–2009) each made art exploring the dark sides of human relationships, especially political power, violence, and oppression. They met in 1949 while at art school in Chicago, married, and lived in Europe for several years before settling in New York City in 1964. Their loft studio in the city became a site for working – often late through the night – and a community hub, where artists met for political discussion and activism.

Golub produced monumental paintings on unstretched canvases. They usually depict soldiers, vigilantes, and scenes of conflict and torture. Later he made darkly humorous works on paper about sex, desire and death. Spero abandoned painting in the 1960s and became known for paper scrolls covered with cut-out female figures displaying narratives of women’s history. Her work often includes fragments of poetry, literature and philosophy, addressing women’s subjugation and resistance.

Both artists used images of monsters and mythology as emblems of human urges and tensions in society. Works in this room feature wild dogs, goddesses and other allegorical figures. All of the works and materials on view are from the collection of Jon Bird, a London-based artist, writer and curator who worked closely with both artists since the 1980s, producing exhibitions and books. The items on view offer a personal glimpse into each of the artist’s practices and their personalities. They are a testament to the relationships that support artists’ creativity and political engagement.

Tate Modern
Natalie Bell Building Level 2 West

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Leon Golub, General Ernesto Geisel (1976) 1977

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artworks in Leon Golub and Nancy Spero

13 rooms in Artist and Society

Leon Golub, General Ernesto Geisel (1976) 1977

Nancy Spero, Victims, Crawling Woman 1990

associated with Nancy Spero, associated with Leon Golub, Leon Golub and Nancy Spero: War and Memory, American Center, Paris 1994

Nancy Spero, Zinc plate: Artemis with Arrow Date not known

Leon Golub, General Ernesto Geisel (1976) 1977

Leon Golub, General Ernesto Geisel (1961) 1977

Leon Golub, General Ernesto Geisel (1976) 1977

Leon Golub, General Ernesto Geisel (1976) 1977

Nancy Spero, Crematorium Chimney, Heads, Swastikas 1967

Nancy Spero, Codex Artaud XV 1971–1972

Leon Golub, All Bets Off 1994

Leon Golub, Napalm Shield 1 1970–1971

Nancy Spero, The Ballad of Marie Sanders 1991

Nancy Spero, Artaud Painting: ‘Poète aigri, la vie bout et la ville brûle’ 1970

Nancy Spero, Sheela-na-gig/Artemis: Totem 1 1985

Leon Golub, Napalm Head 1969–1970

Leon Golub, This Could Be You 2001

Leon Golub, We Can Disappear You (2) 2001

Leon Golub, Satyr Lib! 2004

Leon Golub, Contemplating Pre-Columbian 2000–2004

Leon Golub, Dogged II 2000–2004

Leon Golub, Proud 1999

Nancy Spero, Masha Bruskina 1992

Nancy Spero, Leda 1991

Nancy Spero, Sky Goddess 1999

Nancy Spero, Allegory 1997

Leon Golub, Winged Sphinx 1972

Leon Golub, Interrogation 1992

Nancy Spero, Nancy Spero’s Alphabet of Hieroglyphs 2008

Nancy Spero, Rubber plate: Egyptian figure with lyre Date not known

Art in this room

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