John Baldessari

John Anthony Baldessari (June 17, 1931 – January 2, 2020) was an American conceptual artist known for his work featuring found photography and appropriated images. Initially a painter, Baldessari incorporated texts and photography into his canvases in the mid-1960s. He later expanded his artistic practice to include printmaking, film, video, installation, sculpture, and photography. Baldessari's works explored the narrative potential of images and the associative power of language. He had over 200 solo exhibitions in the U.S. and Europe. His art influenced notable artists such as Cindy Sherman, David Salle, Annette Lemieux, and Barbara Kruger. Baldessari received his B.A. from San Diego State College and his M.A. from the same institution.