Otis Houston Jr. (born 1954 in Greenville, South Carolina, U.S.) is a New York based artist, known for installing and performing his work in public along

FDR Drive Franklin D. Roosevelt East River Drive, commonly known as the FDR Drive, is a controlled-access parkway on the east side of the New York City borough of Manhattan. It starts near South and Broad Streets, just north of the Battery Park Underpas ...

in Manhattan. Houston sometimes presents his work as Black Cherokee.

Early life

Houston grew up in

Greenville, South Carolina Greenville ( ; ) is a city in Greenville County, South Carolina, United States, and its county seat. With a population of 70,720 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of municipalities in South Carolina, sixth-most pop ...

, and moved to New York in 1969. He served seven years in prison on several drug charges. During his incarceration, Houston developed his art practice.

Art practice

Houston has been performing in public along FDR Drive at 122nd St, since 1997. His work typically takes form as performance (often spoken word), sculpture, and text-based pieces. His sculptures employ found materials collected in his apartment building or where he works, including towels, chairs, and doors. During the day, he works as a custodian in an office building.

Exhibitions

Houston has exhibited his work at several New York galleries, including Canada, Room East, and Gordon Robichaux, where he is represented. He has also shown at Socrates Sculpture Park. Houston opened his first institutional exhibition at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in October 2022.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Houston, Otis 1954 births Living people Artists from New York City People from Greenville, South Carolina