Jerry Saltz

Jerry Saltz is a renowned American art critic, known for his work as the senior art critic for New York Magazine, where he has been a prominent voice in the New York City art scene, alongside other notable critics like Peter Schjeldahl of The New Yorker and Holland Cotter of The New York Times. Saltz's writing has been widely read and respected, with his critiques often appearing in The Village Voice, Artnet, and other prominent art publications, such as Artforum and Art in America. His opinions have been influential in shaping the careers of artists like Jeff Koons, Cindy Sherman, and Richard Prince, and he has been a frequent guest on PBS's Art21, discussing the work of artists like Marina Abramovic and Ai Weiwei.

● Early Life and Education

Jerry Saltz was born in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in a family that encouraged his interest in art history and criticism, with influences from notable art historians like Erwin Panofsky and Meyer Schapiro. He attended The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he studied fine arts and developed his skills as a writer, inspired by the works of Harold Rosenberg and Clement Greenberg. Saltz's early education also included time at Loyola University Chicago, where he honed his writing skills, drawing on the examples of Susan Sontag and John Berger. His interest in art criticism was further shaped by the writings of Rosalind Krauss and Hal Foster, and the work of artists like Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg.

● Career

Saltz began his career as an art critic in the 1980s, writing for The Village Voice and other publications, including Art & Auction and Flash Art. He quickly gained recognition for his insightful and often provocative critiques, which have been compared to those of Robert Hughes and Dave Hickey. In 2006, Saltz joined New York Magazine as the senior art critic, where he has written about a wide range of artists, from Gerhard Richter and Cy Twombly to Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald. His writing has also appeared in The Guardian, The Los Angeles Times, and The Wall Street Journal, and he has been a frequent contributor to Artnet and Hyperallergic. Saltz has been a vocal supporter of artists like Takashi Murakami and Yayoi Kusama, and has written extensively on the work of Pablo Picasso, Francis Bacon, and Willem de Kooning.

● Awards and Recognition

Throughout his career, Saltz has received numerous awards and honors for his writing, including the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism in 2018, which he won for his critiques of artists like Mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock. He has also been awarded the National Magazine Award for his work in New York Magazine, and has been named one of the most influential people in the art world by ArtReview. Saltz has been a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and has received awards from the American Society of Magazine Editors and the Association of Art Museum Directors. His writing has been recognized by organizations like the Guggenheim Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Whitney Museum of American Art.

● Writing Style and Criticism

Saltz's writing style is known for being engaging, accessible, and often humorous, making him one of the most widely read and respected art critics of his generation, alongside critics like Peter Plagens and Linda Yablonsky. His critiques often focus on the work of contemporary artists, such as Kara Walker and Wade Guyton, and he has been praised for his ability to explain complex artistic concepts in clear and concise language, drawing on the examples of John Cage and Sol LeWitt. Saltz has also been criticized for his sometimes provocative and contrarian views, which have sparked debates and discussions in the art world, involving artists like Marcel Duchamp and Andy Warhol. Despite this, he remains one of the most influential and widely read art critics working today, with a reputation for fairness and integrity, and a deep understanding of the work of artists like Georgia O'Keeffe and Edward Hopper.

● Personal Life

Saltz is married to Robert Kushner, an artist and writer, and the two have been together for over 30 years, sharing a deep interest in the work of artists like Ellsworth Kelly and Agnes Martin. Saltz has been open about his struggles with depression and anxiety, and has written about the importance of mental health and self-care in the art world, citing the examples of Frida Kahlo and Vincent van Gogh. He is active on social media, where he engages with readers and shares his thoughts on art, politics, and culture, often referencing the work of Theodor Adorno and Walter Benjamin. Saltz has also been a vocal advocate for social justice and LGBTQ+ rights, and has used his platform to raise awareness and support for causes like Black Lives Matter and The Trevor Project, which have been supported by artists like Kerry James Marshall and Mickalene Thomas.