+1 919 638 9146
vannthomas.powell@gmail.com
Based in Durham, NC

Photo by J. Velazquez Sandoval

Vann Thomas Powell (MFA, Duke University) is a documentary artist working with still photography and the moving image. His visual practice incorporates an array of photographic mediums in concert with historical and philosophical research to investigate how past, place, and memory construct identity with particular focus on American identities. He is increasingly interested in investigating subjects related to foundation narratives, myths, tall tales, folklore, and seldom told histories.

Vann’s work has been exhibited across the United States at venues such as The International Center of Photography (New York, NY), SlowExposures Festival (Zebulon, GA), PAL Gallery (Provo, UT), City Art Space - Rochester Institute of Technology (Rochester, NY) and The Frederick Jameson Gallery (Durham, NC). His work has appeared in domestic and international publications including The Independent (UK), Glitterati Editions (New York, NY), and Subjectively Objective (Detroit, MI). He has self-published and published artist books in collaboration with Benschop Books (Denver, CO). His books and works can be found in private and public collections including the Rubenstein Rare Books and Manuscripts Library (Duke University) and the Museum of Fine Art Special Collections (Tufts University). Vann is a 2023 Photolucida Critical Mass finalist.

Vann is available for visiting artist programs, guest lectures, curatorial projects, and editorial assignments.

*Films available upon request.

CV

Education
2023 MFA, Experimental and Documentary Art, Duke University, Durham, NC
2010 BA, Philosophy, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

Solo and Collaborative Exhibitions
2023 On Contentious Ground, Frederick Jameson Gallery, Duke University, Durham, NC
     On Contentious Ground, Through This Lens Gallery, Durham, NC (with Philip Rosoff)
2021   Piedmont Topographics, Through This Lens Gallery, Durham, NC (with Ryan Helsel)

Selected Exhibitions and Screenings
2024 Mapping Perspectives, Throughline, Fotofest Biennial, Houston, TX (Curated by Samantha Johnston)
2023 Homecoming Biennial, RIT City Art Space, Rochester Institute of Technology
   Identity 23, Atlanta Photography Group Gallery, Atlanta, GA (Curated by Jeffery Richmond-Moll)
   Home is Where, Float Photography Magazine (Curated by Dana Stirling)
     Plant Etherics, Summer Salon, Sacred Mountain Sanctuary, Candler, NC (Curated by Bruce Cooper)
2022    Slow Exposures, Stickland’s, Concord, GA (Jurreid by Maria L Kelley and Michael Pannier)
     Everything is Narrative, Subjectively Objective, Detroit, MI (Curated by Noah Waldeck)
     Window Shopping, Duke Independent Film Festival, Duke University, Durham, NC
2021 What is Good Art, Kenan Institute for Ethics, Duke University, Durham, NC (Third Place)
     The Family Of, Peep Space, Tarrytown, NY (Curated by Jeff Dietz)
2020      #ICPCONCERNED, International Center for Photography, New York, NY (Curated by David Campany)
   Oasis of Beauty, Six Feet Photography Project, Online (Curated by Susan Patrice)
   Home, The Exhibition, Stay Gallery, Online (Curated by Micah McCoy)
     Photography and Poetry, Six Feet Photography Project, Online (Curated by Troy Colby)
     Colors of Quarantine, Color Tag Magazine, Online (Curated by Arianna Lucas)
Remember When, Hallway Door Gallery, Atlanta, GA (Curated by John Prince)
2019      Photos Need Friends, PAL Gallery, Provo UT

Artist Books
2023 Points of Entry, Edition of 50. Benschop Books, Denver, CO
2020   Cousins, Self-Published, Edition of 100. Durham, NC

Films
2022    Ins, 3:10, Digital
Window Shopping, 4:11, Found Footage
Plant Etherics, 3:30, 16mm

Publications as Photo Editor
2023 Desire Lines, Meadow Treadwell, Edition of 60, Benschop Books, Denver, CO

Curatorial Projects
2024    Distant Dialogues, With Lisa Bear and Micah McCoy, Float Photography Magazine, Online
2022 Instant Gratification, Float Photography Magazine, Online
   Haunting Loss: MFA|EDA 2022 Exhibition, Duke University, Durham, NC
2021      New Topography, Color Tag Magazine, Online

Bibliography
2023 Homecoming Biennial Catalog, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York
Home Is Where, Float Photography Magazine, New York, NY
   William Seaman: Print Retrospective, Duke University, Durham, NC
2021 Everything is Narrative, Subjectively Objective, Detroit, MI
   #ICPCONCERNED; Global Images for Global Crisis, Glitterati Editions, New York, NY
Southern Photographers Index, “Vann Powell.” Alex Christopher Williams, Online
2018 Downtown Durham’s Evolution from Dangerous to Hip, The Independent, UK

Invited Lectures and Presentations
2023   On Contentious Ground, Lecture, Invited by Brett Schenning, Limestone University, Gaffney, SC. October 27
Critique, Invited by Bretty Schenning, Limestone University Gaffney, SC. October 27
On Contentious Ground, In Conversation with Tom Rankin, Frederick Jameson Gallery, Duke University, Durham,
   NC
2022   Making Documentary, Invited by Dr. Katie Hyde, Center for Documentary Studies, Duke University, Durham, NC
2020 The Disappearing Family, Center for Documentary Studies, Duke University, Durham, NC

Writing and Reviews
2023 Riley Goodman’s From Yonder Wooded Hill, Fall Line Press, Float Photography Magazine
Untitled, Poem, Home Is Where, Float Photography Magazine
   Cristina Velasquez’ Vitterbo, Kris Graves Projects, Float Photography Magazine
2022 Shane Rocheleau’s Lakeside, Gnomic Books, Float Photography Magazine
   Alex Harris’ Our Strange New Land, Yoffy Press, Float Photography Magazine

Grants | Awards | Honors
2023    PhotoLucida Critical Mass Finalist, On Contentious Ground, Portland, OR
2022 Dean’s Research Award, Duke University, Durham, NC
MFA | EDA Travel Grant, Duke University, Durham, NC
2021    Dean’s Research Award, Duke University, Durham, NC
   What Is Good Art, Third Place, Kenan Institute for Ethics, Durham, NC
MFA | EDA Travel Grant, Duke University, Durham, NC

Collections
Rubenstein Rare Books and Manuscripts Library, Duke University, Durham, NC
Tufts Museum of Fine Art Special Collections Library, Tufts University, Boston, MA
Limestone University Library, Limestone University, Gaffney, SC

Press | Portfolio Features | Interviews
2023    Vann Thomas Powell: On Contentious Ground, LENSCRATCH (Interviewed by Epiphany Knedler)
Points of Entry Book Review, Float Magazine (By Dana Stirling)
2021- Vann Thomas Powell and Stan Sussina - Photo Conversation, A New Nothing
2022    Powell’s Photos Explore Landscape, History, Identity, Duke Graduate School (By Hailey Stiehl)
2021    In Conversation: Vann Powell + Cousins, Aint-Bad (Interviewed by Carson Sanders)
   The Disappearing Family, Archival Zone - The Zone Zine
2020 Rebirth of Tragedy, Float Photography Magazine
2020    Some Time Ago East of Here, Aint-Bad (By Carson Sanders)

Experience
2024-    Photography Instructor, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
  (Intro to Digital Photography, Large Format 4x5)
2024-    Digital Image Technician, North Carolina Musuem of Art, Raleigh, NC
2022-2023 Digital Image Specialist, Perkins Library, Duke University, Durham, NC
2022    Teacher Assistant, Doc Studies 101/Children and the Experience of Illness, Duke University, Durham, NC
2022 Artist Assistant, Harlan Campbell, Tin-Type Alternative Process, Durham, NC
2021 Artist Assistant, Elizabeth Stone, Cassilhaus, Chapel Hill, NC
2020-2021    Archivist, Ingersoll Family, Raleigh, NC
2017- Principal Photographer, Vann Powell Studios, Durham, NC

Certifications
2023 Certificate in College Teaching, Duke University, Durham, NC
2020 Certificate in Documentary Photography, Center for Documentary Studies, Duke University, Durham, NC
2011 TEFL Certificate, The Language House, Prague, CZ