Juliana Huxtable
A transdisciplinary artist and poet who remixes identity, technology, and history into a vibrant critique of contemporary culture.
Born 1987 (age 39)·American artist·Birthday: December 29·Millennials
Biography
Juliana Huxtable operates at the electrifying intersection of nightlife, poetry, visual art, and radical theory. A co-founder of the nightlife project Shock Value, she first captured attention as a muse and figure in downtown New York's art scene before firmly establishing herself as a formidable creator in her own right. Her work—spanning self-portraiture, digital collage, performance, and incisive writing—treats the body and identity as mutable sites for exploration. Huxtable interrogates the conditioning forces of race, gender, and technology, often using glossy, saturated aesthetics to pose uncomfortable questions about history and desire. Her presence in major institutions signals a vital new voice that refuses to be categorized.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Juliana was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Juliana Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Juliana's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Her work has been exhibited at major institutions including the Museum of Modern Art and the New Museum in New York.
- Published the poetry collection 'Mucus in My Pineal Gland' in 2020.
- Co-founded the influential New York nightlife and art project Shock Value.
- Was featured in the 2015 New Museum Triennial, 'Surround Audience'.
Did You Know?
She worked as a DJ for the fashion brand Hood by Air.
She was the subject of a portrait by photographer Wolfgang Tillmans.
She is a published author whose writing has appeared in 'Artforum' and other publications.
She performed a piece at the Museum of Modern Art's 'Sunday Sessions' program.
“I am interested in the body as a site of fiction and power.”
