Born in the United States, Pope.L established himself as a significant figure in contemporary art through his rigorous exploration of social and political themes. His practice gained widespread recognition for its challenging nature, often utilizing his own body to interrogate concepts of identity, race, and class. He was a recipient of the Creative Capital Visual Arts Award and a Guggenheim Fellowship, and his work was featured in multiple Whitney Biennials.

His artistic output was remarkably diverse, encompassing performance, theater, photography, and painting. He was particularly noted for his long-term series such as the Failure Drawings and Skin Sets, which utilized drawing, writing, and film to examine systemic issues. His work often blurred the lines between public intervention and private reflection, utilizing materials ranging from traditional paper to ephemeral performance elements.

Following his passing, Pope.L continues to be the subject of major institutional surveys. Recent recognition includes the 2026 exhibition Certainly an Act at The Drawing Center in New York, which provides a comprehensive look at his extensive body of work on paper, including archival materials and drawing-based films spanning four decades.