Ebony G. Patterson, MFA ’06, Wins MacArthur “Genius” Grant

Sam Fox School alumna Ebony G. Patterson, MFA ’06, has been named a 2024 fellow by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. The annual fellowship, colloquially called a “genius” grant, comes with an unrestricted $800,000 award, distributed over five years. Patterson is one of 22 awardees, four of whom are artists.

The multidisciplinary artist says that she uses “a language of painting to explore ideas around visibility and invisibility in our postcolonial society.” Patterson’s densely layered, highly textured works take the form of sculptures, installations, videos, tapestries, and more to pose questions about race, gender, class, power, care, life, and death. “As human beings, we’re attracted to beautiful things,” she said. “And I recognize the power of using all of the trappings of beauty.”

“I am so proud and excited for Ebony, in awe of her expansive practice and intricate, powerful multi-layered works that address social structures while exuding visual pleasure and deep engagement,” Carmon Colangelo, the Ralph J. Nagel Dean of the Sam Fox School shared. “She is so deserving of this award, and I can’t wait to see the impact it will have on her future work.”

Amy Hauft, director of the College & Graduate School of Art, shared that “Ebony’s installations and paper works juxtapose dazzling aesthetics with potent social commentary. She draws viewers in with beauty, meanwhile surprising them with issues about race-based class, social division, and political violence.” Hauft gave further context to Patterson’s work, noting that “The works are layered and tactile. She weaponizes ‘bling’ — ostentatious adornment — as empowerment meanwhile using the garden as metaphor for loss, decay, beauty and the legacy of colonialism. By weaving these complicated and visceral elements together, she creates optically sizzling physical and political projects that sing.”