Dan Flavin (1933–1996) was an American artist renowned for his minimalist sculptures and installations created using commercially available fluorescent light fixtures. Born in Jamaica, Queens, Flavin initially studied for the priesthood before joining the U.S. Air Force, where he began studying art. In the early 1960s, he transitioned from painting to working exclusively with fluorescent lights, developing a reductive yet transformative artistic language that explored light, color, and spatial relationships. His works ranged from small-scale constructions to large installations that redefined architectural spaces, such as his iconic The Diagonal of May 25, 1963 (to Constantin Brancusi). Flavin exhibited widely during his lifetime, including retrospectives at the National Gallery of Canada and the Guggenheim Museum. Permanent installations of his work can be seen at Dia:Beacon, the Chinati Foundation, and the Dan Flavin Art Institute. His innovative approach to light continues to influence contemporary art globally.