Allison McDaniel
Allison McDaniel is a multidisciplinary visual artist, curator, and cultural producer, interested in themes of identity construction within marginalized communities and how it provides a unique catalyst for the production of dynamic visual, sound, and performance art.
Co-founder and special projects director of Mambu Badu, a collective of cultural producers and artists who curate art-based experiences such as biannual shows and publications that center the process and product of black self-identified women who engage in photo-based work.
Former co-director and curator of the Median, an emerging artist's gallery and space for art-related community events in Washington, DC.
Former student of Howard University and Graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design.
Awarded Grants
2015
Art and Change Grant (ACG)
Overview
Allison’s project, Past to Present, is an intergenerational exhibition and programming series that explores a cross-section of older black artists and their younger peers living and/or working in the Philadelphia area. Through interviews, audio recordings, photographic portraits, and a series of artist talks, Allison will provide insight into the personal and shared experiences of black artists. In doing so, she will honor these artists; increase their visibility; and re/contextualize work being created by younger generations. Allison believes art to be an important means of self-actualization and healing, and she hopes the project will provide inspiration as well as confirmation and community for black artists across mediums and ages.