Greer Lankton facts for kids

Greer Lankton (born April 21, 1958 – died November 18, 1996) was an American artist. She was famous for making lifelike dolls out of fabric. These dolls often looked like her friends or famous people. She would pose them in detailed, dramatic scenes. Greer Lankton was an important artist in the East Village art scene in New York during the 1980s.

Early Life and Education

Greer Lankton was born in Flint, Michigan. Her father was a minister. Greer started making dolls when she was about ten years old. She used flowers and Pipe cleaners to create them. She began taking her doll-making seriously when she was 17 and went to college.

Greer Lankton studied art at the Art Institute of Chicago. Later, she attended Pratt Institute in New York. When she was 21, while studying at Pratt, she changed her name and underwent a medical procedure to change her gender. Her father, Bill, helped her by getting the church's health insurance to cover the procedure.

Greer Lankton's Art

Greer Lankton often said that changing her gender made her think a lot about bodies. This idea of bodies and identity became a big part of her art. Her dolls often looked like people who might be seen as different or unusual by society.

Her art has been compared to the surrealist works of Hans Bellmer. He also made dolls with parts that could be changed. Lankton's figures were both beautiful and a little strange. They seemed to show strong, expressive personalities.

In 1981, Greer Lankton's work was shown in a big exhibition called "New York/New Wave" at P.S.1. She also started showing her art in the East Village at Civilian Warfare Gallery. She had solo shows there in 1983, 1984, and 1985.

She became very popular in the East Village. This was partly because of the amazing window displays she designed. These displays were for Einstein's, a clothing store owned by her husband, Paul Monroe.

Greer Lankton also made special portrait dolls for people. For example, in 1989, she made a doll of Diana Vreeland. This doll was for a window display at Barney's, a department store. She also created art pieces that honored her heroes, like Candy Darling.

Art critic Roberta Smith wrote about Lankton's dolls in the New York Times. She said they were "beautifully sewn, with extravagant clothes, make-up and hairstyles." Smith noted they were both glamorous and unusual. They had intense personalities, like the art of Egon Schiele. Smith felt Lankton's work predicted many art ideas of the 1990s. These included focusing on the body, fashion, and performance.

Photographer Nan Goldin said Greer was a pioneer. She helped to blend folk art and fine art. Lankton appeared in Goldin's 1995 film "I'll Be Your Mirror." Her work was also shown in important art events. These included the Whitney Biennial and the Venice Biennale, both in 1995. Her sculptures of Candy Darling and circus performers became well-known there.

In November 2014, a major exhibition of Lankton's work opened. It was called "LOVE ME." This show featured over 90 dolls, along with documents and other items. It was held at PARTICIPANT, INC in New York City. The exhibition was organized by Lia Gangitano. It worked with the Greer Lankton Archives Museum (G.L.A.M.). This museum was started by Paul Monroe after Greer's death.

Personal Life

Greer Lankton started studying at the Pratt Institute in New York City in 1978. She was friends with photographer Nan Goldin. Greer lived in Goldin's apartment in the early 1980s and often posed for her photos. She also inspired other photographers like David Wojnarowicz and Peter Hujar.

Greer Lankton married designer Paul Monroe in 1987 in New York City. Nan Goldin was their wedding photographer. Greer and Paul met in 1981. Peter Hujar introduced them. They started dating in 1982 and lived together from 1984 to 1992.

Paul Monroe opened his store, EINSTEINS, in 1981. In 1983, Greer became his partner. In 1986, Greer opened her own gallery, THE DOLL CLUB, inside EINSTEINS. Greer Lankton's amazing window displays for Einstein's made the store famous. The store closed in 1992.

Greer Lankton passed away on November 18, 1996, in her Chicago apartment. This was just one month after she finished her largest artwork. This final piece is called It's All About Me, Not You. It is now a permanent display at the Mattress Factory in Pittsburgh.

Images for kids

• Greer Lankton with some of her dolls