After seeing Mierle Laderman Ukeles' revolutionary artmaking unfold in this eye-opening film, you will quickly find yourself in awe of Ukeles the person, as well as her quietly subversive work. For nearly sixty years—including as the longstanding artist-in-residence of NYC's Department of Sanitation—her canvas has been the streets, landfills, and workplaces of New York, uplifting everyday acts of human service—cleaning, maintenance, housework—in collaborative public art projects inspired by her deeply humanistic interpretation of Judaism. Set amid the social and artistic revolutions of the late 20th century, Maintenance Artist tells the story of an artist who redefined the meaning of art and labor. Official Selection, 2025 Tribeca Film Festival.

Director: Toby Perl Freilich | USA | Documentary | 2025 | English | 95 minutes

Subjects: American Jewish Stories, Arts & Culture, Biographies, Social Justice, Women's Lives

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