Dani Kwan is an artist who responds to contemporary culture, identity politics, and ecology. With a critical perspective on human interactions between each other and the world around us; Their creative practice encompasses diverse forms of media including video, performance, sound, curation, sculpture, photography, graphic design, and fiber arts.
You can keep up with what they're doing on Instagram @danikwan
EDUCATION
In-Progress
Masters in Fine Arts, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA
2013
Bachelor of Arts cum laude, Studio art major, emphasis in graphic design with a certificate in digital media, California State University Channel Islands, Camarillo, CA
2012
Paris-American Academy (Study Abroad Program), Paris, France
2008
Otis College of Art and Design (Summer of Art Program), Los Angeles, CA
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS AND PROJECTS
2022
Group Exhibitions
(Post-poned) The Magical Mystery Tour Returns, Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, CA
GLAMFA/CAMFA 2022, CSULB Galleries, Long Beach, CA
2021
Solo Exhibitions
Liminal: Pop-up Exhibit, Glass Box Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA
Group Exhibitions
In collaboration with Earth, Glass Box Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA
MFA Open Studios, Harder Studios, Santa Barbara, CA
The Seventh Schism: Lucid Ooey Gooey, Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara, Online
INTO THE VOID, Glass Box Gallery, Online
Transmissions from Planet Pandemic II, UCSB, Online
GLAMFA/CAMFA 2021, CSULB Galleries, Long Beach, CA
Publications
Unity in Diversity Zine, Fangrl Press, Ventura, CA
2020
Group Exhibitions
MFA First Year Show, UC Santa Barbara, CA, Online
Let Your Unruly Sideshow: The Custom Splotch Exhibition, Thousand Oaks, CA
2019
Solo Exhibitions
Inconclusive: Exploring Identity and Vulnerability, Palm Gallery, Camarillo, CA
Group Exhibitions
R/Evolutionary Screen Print Show, 643 Project Space, Ventura, CA
Pint-Sized Show, Ventura Coast Brew Co., Ventura, CA
2018
Group Exhibitions
CSU Channel Islands Alumni Show, Napa Gallery, Camarillo, CA
Fridge-Worthy, WAV Gallery, Ventura, CA
Deck The Halls, Madewest Brewery, Ventura, CA
2017
Group Exhibition
The Ol' Switcharoo, 643 Project Space, Ventura, CA
2016
Solo Exhibition
The Birds!, Toki Ramen, Ventura, CA
GRANTS AND HONORS
2022
Departmental Grant, Art Department, UCSB
2021
Ron Newby Scholarship, Humanities and Fine Arts, UCSB
Departmental Grant, Art Department, UCSB
Graduate Opportunity Fellowship Nomination, UCSB
GSA Excellence in Teaching Award Nomination, UCSB
2020
Multicampus Placemaking Initiative Award, University of California
Departmental Grant, Art Department, UCSB
Smithsonian's Hirshhorn Ball, Second Place, Hirshhorn Museum, Washington, DC
2016
ASI Legacy Awards Maximus Award Nomination, CSUCI
2013
Class of 2013 Art Program Honors Award, CSUCI
PUBLICATIONS
2021
Presentation, Teaching Sensitive Topics, Campus-wide TA Orientation, UC Santa Barbara
Presentation in collaboration with Kate Saubestre, So you want to be a TA?, Art Department TA Orientation, UC Santa Barbara
Interview, Art Has Risen, AD&A Museum, Online, https://adamuseum.wordpress.com/
Interview, MFA Chronicles Podcast, https://anchor.fm/mfachroniclespodcast/
2019
Invited Talk, Career Connections Mentorship Event, CSU Channel Islands
Invited Talk, ‘RADuation’ Art Program Graduation Ceremony, CSU Channel Islands
2018
Interview, The CI View Newspaper, CSU Channel Islands, Camarillo, CA
2017
Presentation, Marketing 101, ASI Marketing Strategies Summit, CSU Channel Islands
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2/2018–7/2020
Marketing Graphic Designer, Sideshow Collectibles, Newbury Park, CA
4/2015–2/2018
Graphic Designer for Student Affairs, CSU Channel Islands, Camarillo, CA
9/2014– 4/2015
In-House Graphic Designer, PlanetArt Marketing Department of Avanquest, USA, Calabasas, CA
1/2014– 4/2014
In-House Graphic and Web Designer, BraveHeart Women, LLC, Ventura, CA
6/2013– 2/2014
Freelance Graphic Designer, Sunsets, Inc., Harbor City, CA
COMMISSIONED WORK
2019
Public Commission
Marketing materials for art exhibit, Below the Surface: An Exploration of Process, CSU Channel Islands, Camarillo, CA
Private Commissions
Children’s book illustrations, Brigette Najarian, Los Angeles, CA
Marketing materials for Honey Bee Wellness, Thousand Oaks, CA
Logo design for Warrior Ideal, Scot King, Thousand Oaks, CA
Doll design for Sideshow Doll, Sideshow Collectibles, Newbury Park, CA
Logo design for Sideshow Doll, Sideshow Collectibles, Newbury Park, CA
2018
Private Commissions
Illustrated short story, Jenna Cormier, Los Angeles, CA
Portrait illustrations, Sideshow Collectibles, Newbury Park, CA
Marketing materials for Honey Bee Kitchen, Thousand Oaks, CA
Screen-printed shirts for Honey Bee Kitchen, Thousand Oaks, CA
Illustrated wedding invitations, Melissa Emmons, Thousand Oaks, CA
Illustration work for Sideshow Doll, Sideshow Collectibles, Newbury Park, CA
2017
Private Commissions
Motion graphics video for InQ, a spoken word poet (in collaboration with Eamon Stewart), Sideshow Collectibles, Newbury Park, CA
Digital artwork for screen-printed shirts, Motoko Kitazumi, Oxnard, CA
Web design and photography for Honey Bee Kitchen, Thousand Oaks, CA
2016
Public Commission
Costume design for theater production: Motown, CSU Channel Islands, Camarillo, CA
CD packaging for the World Jazz Project, Paul Murphy, Camarillo, CA
Private Commissions
Digital paintings printed on paper, Britney Summerville, Camarillo, CA
Logo design, Running Pig Furnishings, Ventura, CA
2015
Private Commission
Exhibit poster design printed on paper, Aldo Figueroa, Inglewood, CA
2014
Public Commission
Poster design for theater production: Damn Yankees, CSU Channel Islands, Camarillo, CA
2013
Public Commissions
Poster design for theater production: The CI Follies, CSU Channel Islands, Camarillo, CA
Costume design for theater production: The CI Follies, CSU Channel Islands, Camarillo, CA