A Multifaceted Artist Steps Into the Spotlight

Alexandra Grant, a Los Angeles-based visual artist known for her thought-provoking explorations of language, identity, and social responsibility, has long been a respected figure in the art world. Yet, in recent years, she’s found herself under an unexpected spotlight, not just for her innovative work but for her personal life and distinctive silver hair. As the partner of actor Keanu Reeves, Grant has navigated public attention with grace, humor, and a steadfast commitment to her craft. While headlines have often focused on her natural gray locks—sparking both admiration and ageist commentary—her latest project, a sparkling wine called “Love,” launched in collaboration with J Vineyards in Sonoma, is a testament to her creative vision and philanthropic spirit. This endeavor, released on February 3, 2025, not only showcases her passion for art and culture but also her dedication to supporting women in the arts. In this exclusive exploration, we delve into Grant’s multifaceted career, her journey through public scrutiny, and why her latest project is a celebration of love in all its forms.

From Silver Hair to Global Headlines

Grant’s rise to public prominence began in earnest in 2019 when she and Keanu Reeves made their red-carpet debut as a couple at the LACMA Art + Film Gala. The moment was a cultural milestone, not only because Reeves, one of Hollywood’s most private stars, had gone public with a relationship but also because Grant, then 46, proudly embraced her natural gray hair. The media frenzy that followed was as much about her appearance as her identity as Reeves’ partner. “I never dreamed that the first article about me in the New York Times would be about my hair color,” Grant told People with a laugh, reflecting on the unexpected focus. Her silver locks, a result of premature graying in her early 20s, became a topic of fascination, with some praising her for defying beauty standards and others unfairly critiquing her age-appropriate look.

This scrutiny was not without its challenges. In a 2019 Instagram post, Grant addressed the discourse head-on, sharing a Newsweek article linking permanent hair dye to increased breast cancer risk, particularly for women of color. “I went gray prematurely in my early 20s… and dyed my hair every color along the way until I couldn’t tolerate the toxicity of the dyes anymore,” she wrote, concluding, “I love and support that every womxn can choose how she wants to look at every age. But/and, if womxn are perishing from beauty standards… then let’s talk about those beauty standards.” Her candidness sparked widespread praise, with fans lauding her for challenging societal norms and advocating for authenticity.

Yet, Grant’s response to the attention was characteristically grounded. “The main thing is that people are happy for us,” she told People of her relationship with Reeves, emphasizing her desire to focus on positivity rather than criticism. Her ability to navigate this newfound visibility with humor and resilience reflects her global upbringing—born in Ohio, raised in Mexico City, Paris, and Washington, D.C.—which prepared her for life’s unpredictability. “I was pulled up by the roots in transplant so many times as a child,” she said, “and had things that I didn’t understand come at me since I was a kid.” This adaptability has been a cornerstone of her career, allowing her to carve out a unique space in the art world while embracing unexpected challenges.

The grantLOVE Project: A Legacy of Giving

At the heart of Grant’s artistic identity is the grantLOVE project, a philanthropic initiative she launched in 2008 to raise funds and awareness for arts nonprofits through the sale of her LOVE-themed artwork. The project, inspired by her 2008 sculpture A Love That Should Have Lasted, has become a cornerstone of her practice, blending creativity with social impact. Grant’s LOVE symbol, trademarked in 2012, has appeared in paintings, prints, sculptures, textiles, jewelry, and neons, with proceeds supporting organizations like the Orange County Museum of Art, Heart of Los Angeles, and Project Angel Food. Since its inception, grantLOVE has donated over $300,000 in artworks and funds, collaborating with artists, communities, and nonprofits to foster creativity and imagination.

The 2024 book LOVE: A Visual History of the grantLOVE Project, with a foreword by Roxane Gay and essays by Alma Ruiz, Cassandra Coblentz, and Eman Alami, chronicles the project’s evolution. Described as a “visual meditation on what ‘love’ is,” the book showcases Grant’s ability to merge art and philanthropy, inviting readers to reflect on empathy and community. Her commitment to arts education as a “civil rights issue of imagination” underscores her belief that creativity is essential for personal and societal growth. “We look at how music programs and art programs are the first things to go,” she told People, “but so many people have a desire to be creative. I know I need it to survive, and I want to extend that to as many other people as possible through grantLOVE.”

Love in a Bottle: The Sparkling Wine Venture

Grant’s latest project, a sparkling California Brut called “Love,” marks a bold new chapter in her creative journey. Launched on February 3, 2025, in collaboration with J Vineyards in Sonoma, the wine is both a celebration of her grantLOVE ethos and a nod to her global perspective on food and culture. Crafted with winemakers Stephanie Gallo, Nicole Hitchcock, and Caroline Shaw, the wine features a label designed by artist Genevieve Gaignard, with future labels to showcase other artists’ work. A portion of the proceeds supports women in the arts, aligning with Grant’s mission to uplift underrepresented voices. “I’ve been meeting with different vineyards for about 13 years,” Grant told People, noting that her partnership with J Vineyards felt like the perfect fit, particularly because of the opportunity to work with women, who remain a minority in winemaking.

The inspiration for “Love” wine stems from Grant’s childhood, where her experiences in Mexico, France, and Spain shaped her appreciation for food and drink as a form of celebration. “In my travels, I learned to value the meals, the gatherings, leaning into the idea of a healthy celebration,” she said. The wine, described as crisp and effervescent, embodies this spirit, offering a taste of joy and connection. For Grant, the project is more than a commercial venture—it’s an extension of her artistic practice, where love, community, and creativity intersect. The choice to launch on Valentine’s Day weekend was deliberate, reinforcing the theme of love that runs through her work.

Keanu Reeves: A Collaborative Partner

Grant’s partnership with Keanu Reeves extends beyond their personal relationship, encompassing creative collaborations that have enriched both their careers. In 2011, they worked together on Ode to Happiness, a grown-up picture book featuring Reeves’ poetry and Grant’s illustrations. The success of this project led to the founding of X Artists’ Books in 2017, a publishing house dedicated to “thoughtful, high-quality, artist-centered books that fit within and between genres.” Their second collaboration, Shadows (2016), further showcased their synergy, with Grant’s artwork complementing Reeves’ introspective text. These projects highlight Grant’s ability to translate language into visual art, a recurring theme in her practice.

Reeves’ support for Grant’s endeavors, including her “Love” wine launch, has been a quiet but powerful presence. While the couple keeps their relationship private, their public appearances—such as holding hands in London or Berlin—reveal a bond built on mutual respect and shared passions. “Keanu and Alexandra have been friends for years, and their collaboration on projects like Ode to Happiness shows how well they complement each other,” a source told People. For Grant, working with Reeves is a natural extension of her collaborative approach, which includes partnerships with writers like Michael Joyce and philosophers like Hélène Cixous.

Navigating Fame with Grace

Grant’s entry into the public eye as Reeves’ partner brought both opportunities and challenges. The media’s fixation on her hair color, often framed through an ageist lens, highlighted the double standards faced by women in the spotlight. “I’m a 6ft 1in woman with white hair,” Grant told British Vogue in 2020. “The idea of fitting in… If I wanted to look like Kim Kardashian, I would have to have surgery removing about a foot off my legs.” Her humor and defiance of beauty norms have resonated with fans, who admire her authenticity. Posts on X reflect this sentiment, with users writing, “Alexandra Grant is an inspiration—her art, her grace, her refusal to conform.”

Despite the scrutiny, Grant remains focused on her work. Her exhibitions, from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) to the 20th Bienal de Arte Paiz in Guatemala, showcase her ability to probe complex ideas through painting, drawing, sculpture, and film. Her 2015 series Antigone 3000, inspired by Sophocles’ play and the line “I was born to love not to hate,” reflects her commitment to themes of empathy and human connection. “It’s about loving yourself, loving the people in your community, and learning how to love people who are truly different than who you are,” she told Goop during a 2020 discussion with Gwyneth Paltrow.

A Global Perspective, A Local Impact

Grant’s international upbringing—born to a Scottish geology professor and an American political science professor, with time spent in Africa, Mexico, and Europe—has shaped her worldview and artistic practice. “How do the languages we speak and the images we see form how we think and exchange ideas?” she asks on her website, a question that drives her collaborations with writers and artists. Her work often incorporates text, as seen in her Ladder Quartet and Bodies series with Michael Joyce, where she paints words backward to challenge viewers’ perceptions. This global perspective informs her latest project, where the “Love” wine celebrates cultural gatherings and artistic expression.

Locally, Grant’s impact is felt through her contributions to Los Angeles’ arts community. Her grantLOVE project has supported organizations like LAXART and 18th Street Arts Center, fostering creativity in a city known for its cultural vibrancy. Her 2024 partnership with the Pledgeling Foundation and Pledge’s Give & Grow app has made grantLOVE’s donations more transparent, reinforcing her commitment to accountability and impact. “In addition to the direct donations of artwork, I personally donate to numerous nonprofits from royalties and other