Early Life and Education
In Fairview Park, Ohio, Alexandra Annette Grant was born April 4, 1973. The daughter of a Scottish geology professor and an American political science diplomat, she grew up in Mexico City (1980–1984) and Paris (1985–1989). By 16, she spoke English, Spanish, and French, demonstrating her early interest in language that would influence her art.
| Year | Location | School/Institution |
|---|---|---|
| 1973–1980 | Fairview Park, Ohio | Local public schools |
| 1980–1984 | Mexico City | British School of Mexico City |
| 1985–1989 | Paris | International School of Paris |
| 1989–1993 | Swarthmore, PA | Swarthmore College (BA) |
| 1998–2000 | San Diego, CA | UC San Diego (MFA) |
Her BA in Art History and English and MFA in Visual Arts were achieved by 1993 and 2000, respectively, setting the groundwork for her unique technique of translating text into visual form.
Artistic Career and Major Collaborations
Grant focusses on text-image interaction in his studio. Since her 2007 MOCA Los Angeles solo exhibition, she has had at least 12 major shows in North America and Europe.
| Year | Exhibition Title | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Solo Debut | Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles |
| 2015 | Antigone 3000 | Barnsdall Art Center & LACMA |
| 2017 | Antigone is me (with Florence Grant) | The Eastern Star Gallery, LA |
| 2019 | Born to Love | Lowell Ryan Projects |
| 2025 | Language as Canvas | Future retrospective (announced) |
Key collaborators include writers Michael Joyce (2009), Hélène Cixous (2012), and actor-writer Keanu Reeves—her partner since 2019—on projects like the illustrated books Ode to Happiness (2011) and Shadows (2016). In 2017, she co‑founded X Artists’ Books, a publishing house devoted to artist-centered editions, with Jessica Fleischmann and Reeves.
Her works often blend painting, drawing, sculpture, video, and installation, all unified by a rigorous investigation of linguistic theory. A 2015 residency at Bemis Center led to her first directorial venture, the documentary Taking Lena Home, underscoring her multifaceted engagement with language and narrative.
Teaching and Mentorship
Grant had five teaching and mentoring positions at top institutions from 2009 to 2015, demonstrating her dedication to pedagogy:
| Years | Role | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| 2009–2011 | Adjunct Professor | Art Center College of Design |
| 2010 | MFA Seminar Instructor | Cal State Northridge |
| 2013–2014 | Mentor | Pacific Northwest College of Art |
| 2015 | Visiting Lecturer | Syracuse University |
| 2015 | Co-Instructor | Ashesi University, Ghana |
Her courses mixed studio practice with theoretical readings, leading to student-driven publications, mirroring her own publishing efforts.
Philanthropy and the grantLOVE Project
Grant created grantLOVE in 2008 to donate proceeds from limited-edition “LOVE” artworks to local NGOs. Her 17-year fundraising total exceeds $300,000 for Project Angel Food and Heart of Los Angeles.
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Years Active | 2008–Present (17) |
| Total Funds Raised | $300,000+ |
| Partner Nonprofits Supported | ≥ 5 |
| Annual Auction Participation Rate | 100% since 2008 |
Her uncommon combination of aesthetic rigour and social impact shows how art and community participation can work together.
Personal Life and Public Profile
Grant’s relationship with Keanu Reeves, announced at the LACMA Art + Film Gala in November 2019, has raised her profile, although her work remains her focus. Major events they’ve attended together:
- MOCA Gala (2022–2024): Shared art-world stage alongside leading collectors.
- Ballerina Premiere (June 12, 2025): Hand-in-hand at the Los Angeles debut of Reeves’s latest film.
An April 2025 X post showed the couple on a London date night, highlighting her global prominence.
| Date | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 2, 2019 | LACMA Art + Film Gala | Relationship confirmed |
| Mar 5, 2023 | Surprise Birthday Celebration | Reeves surprised her on April 4, 2023 birthday |
| Jun 12, 2025 | Ballerina Premiere | Public appearance in Los Angeles |
Despite public interest in her personal life, Grant’s humour and prudence keep interviews focused on her studio practice.
Net Worth and Market Presence
Alexandria Annette Grant’s sales, exhibitions, and publishing initiatives indicate her market profile, although her net worth is unknown:
- Primary Income Streams: Gallery sales, limited-edition prints, X Artists’ Books royalties, speaking and teaching fees.
- Estimated Annual Earnings: $150,000–$250,000 (industry benchmark for mid-career artists with international exhibitions).
- Market Record: Highest auction sale reported at $25,000 for a mixed-media text painting.
| Revenue Source | Estimated % of Total Income |
|---|---|
| Gallery Sales | 50% |
| Publishing Royalties | 20% |
| Teaching & Lectures | 15% |
| Grants & Residencies | 10% |
| Merchandise & Prints | 5% |
Her recent announcement as the Hollywood Sign’s first NFT initiative shows versatility and a readiness to handle emerging industries.
Additional Notes
- Multicultural Perspective: Childhood stints in three countries instilled a lifelong passion for translation, both linguistic and cultural.
- Sibling Collaboration: In 2017, she partnered with sister Florence Grant on Antigone is me, a community installation at Archer School for Girls.
- Family Legacy: Her mother’s work founding women’s colleges in Saudi Arabia and leading departments in Pakistan and Ghana resonates in Alexandra’s global outlook.
FAQ
What made Alexandra Grant choose text-based art?
Her early exposure to different languages and international schools sparked her interest in visualising written words.
When did she co-found X Artists’ Books?
Her publishing firm was founded in 2017 with Jessica Fleischmann and Keanu Reeves.
The grantLOVE Project raised how much?
Over $300,000 has been raised for arts groups since 2008.
Which institutions has she taught at?
Ashesi University, Ghana (2015) and Art Centre College of Design (2009–2011) are notable roles.
Has her Keanu Reeves connection affected her career?
It raised her profile, but her shows and projects are still celebrated.
What is her highest auction record?
A major auction house sold a mixed-media text painting for $25,000.
Does she work in digital art and NFTs?
Her 2025 proposal is the Hollywood Sign’s first NFT.
Where did she complete her MFA?
She received her MFA from UC San Diego in 2000.
