Longtime NYU Arts Head Honored In New Village Exhibition

WEST VILLAGE, NY — One of NYU's longest tenured and influential arts professors will be honored in a new exhibit showcasing his legacy.

Gerald Pryor, who died on Feb. 13 at the age of 76, inspired students for 44 years as a professor, artist-in-residence and head of photography for Steinhardt’s Department of Art and Arts Professions.

In 1979, Pryor started the school's photo department through a collaboration with the International Center of Photography, said fellow Steinhardt teacher, Marlene McCarty, and he served as its head until last year.

McCarty described Pryor as part of the fiber of the downtown arts scene.

“Committed to tough work that was not easily commodified, he was an artists’ artist,” McCarty wrote in a statement accompanying the exhibition. Gerald Pryor was a significant artist who kept alive the idea of what an artist could be. Without people like him there is no art world.”

Pryor inspired many artists, including sculptor Michael Richards, who was killed in the 9/11 attacks as he worked in his artist's studio on the 92nd floor of the World Trade Center, part of the World Views residency organized by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, according to an online arts and culture blog.

For two decades, Pryor paid tribute to Richards on the anniversary of his death with his performance piece, Body Slam.

The exhibition will run from Sept. 8-24 at the Commons and Rosenberg Gallery in the Barney Building, located at 34 Stuyvesant St.

In addition, NYU Steinhardt also announced the Gerald Pryor Art Award, a new scholarship fund for future students.