for 2022, theaster gates will be first non-architect to design serpentine pavilion

american urbanist-turned-artist theaster gates will design the 2022 serpentine pavilion, the first non-architect to receive the prestigious commission in its 21-year history. while the details of his 2022 serpentine pavilion have not yet been revealed, his larger body of work may offer a hint. theaster gates — an urban planner, installation artist, and professor in the department of visual arts at the university of chicago — is widely known for his work which integrates sound, motion, architectural elements. much of his work focuses on black history, racism, and poverty in america. drawing from his own experiences growing up on the south side of chicago, the artist creates a continuous circle between fine art and social progress. 

portrait of theaster gates within ‘sanctum’

the serpentine gallery announces its partnership with theaster gates, who will design the 2022 pavilion as the COVID-19 pandemic begins to ease. after closing due to the pandemic, the gallery will open its doors to the public tomorrow, may 19th. the architects journal first reported the news of theaster gates’ teaming with the gallery for the 2022 pavilion. while the design has not yet been unveiled, it may reflect the artist’s famous ongoing dorchester project, which began in 15 years ago in an effort to revitalize poor neighborhoods through art and urban planning. gates stripps battered buildings from its components and transforms these elements into artworks with its proceedings directed to finance the rehabilitation of entire city blocks.

sanctum installation at bristol | theaster gates

amalgam exhibition at palais de tokyo | theaster gates

2020 serpentine pavilion | counterspace

2019 serpentine pavilion | junya ishigami

2018 serpentine pavilion | frida escobedo