Bruce Nauman Speaking Fee: $100,000 to $125,000

Bruce Nauman, born in 1941 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is widely regarded as one of the most influential and provocative figures in contemporary art. Initially studying mathematics and physics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, he later shifted his focus to art, earning an MFA from the University of California, Davis, in 1966. This blend of analytical rigor and creative exploration became a hallmark of his multifaceted practice, which spans sculpture, performance, video, neon, sound, and installation. In the mid-1960s, Nauman began to challenge traditional definitions of art by treating his own studio activities as artistic acts. He explored themes of language, repetition, and bodily presence, often using himself as the subject in early video works. His neon pieces, such as The True Artist Helps the World by Revealing Mystic Truths (1967), juxtaposed commercial signage with philosophical inquiry, while installations like Green Light Corridor (1970) invited viewers into disorienting physical spaces. Over the decades, Nauman's work has remained conceptually rigorous and emotionally charged. Pieces like Clown Torture (1987) and Mapping the Studio I (Fat Chance John Cage) (2001) confront viewers with unsettling imagery and sound, probing the limits of perception and endurance. His art often blurs the line between humor and discomfort, compelling audiences to engage deeply with the experience. Nauman's contributions have been recognized with numerous accolades, including the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale in both 1999 and 2009, the Wolf Prize in Arts in 1993, and the Praemium Imperiale in 2004. His work has been exhibited in major retrospectives at institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York and Tate Modern in London, and is held in collections worldwide. Since 1979, Nauman has lived and worked near Galisteo, New Mexico, where he shared a home and studio with his late wife, painter Susan Rothenberg. Their rural lifestyle, which included raising horses, provided a backdrop for Nauman's continued exploration of the intersections between art, life, and the human condition.