What Will You See at Glenn Ligon’s Sit So Your Back Isn’t Against The Door in Los Angeles?

Short answer

Glenn Ligon: Sit So Your Back Isnt Against The Door reunites the largest group of the artist Coloring Book paintings in 25 years, on view at Hauser & Wirth Downtown Los Angeles from September 30, 2026 through January 17, 2027.

Key facts

• Exhibition: Glenn Ligon: Sit So Your Back Isnt Against The Door
• Location: Hauser & Wirth, 901 East 3rd Street, Downtown Los Angeles
• Dates: September 30, 2026 – January 17, 2027
• Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 11 AM-6 PM
• Admission: Free

What will you see?

You will see the largest gathering of Glenn Ligon Coloring Book paintings since their debut at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis 25 years ago. These large-scale canvases began during Ligon 1999-2000 residency, when he invited schoolchildren to color pages from Afrocentric coloring books of the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The exhibition also premieres Black Panther Coloring Book #1, a new 22-part work based on a political primer illustrated in 1969 by artist Akinsanya Kambon.

Why does this exhibition matter?

The Coloring Book paintings expose how elusive representation can be, hinging on the tension between children untutored imagination and historically informed perspective. The exhibition arrives ahead of Ligon major survey at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC (April 2027).

How do you visit?

Hauser & Wirth is located at 901 East 3rd Street in the Arts District. The gallery is open Tuesday through Sunday, 11 AM to 6 PM. Admission is free.

FAQ

How long does a visit take?

Plan for 45 minutes to an hour.

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Sources

• Hauser & Wirth, exhibition page for Glenn Ligon: Sit So Your Back Isnt Against The Door.

More context: our guides to The Brockman Gallery at LACMA and Todd Gray at The Brick.