Anna U Davis is a contemporary mixed-media artist who lives and works in Washington, D.C. A native of Lund, Sweden, she immigrated to the U.S. in 1998 and earned a Bachelor of Studio Arts, summa cum laude, from The University of the District of Columbia in Washington, D.C, in 2002. Davis began developing her artistic practice and her concept of “Frocasians” more than 25 years ago. “Frocasians” (an amalgam of Afro and Caucasian) appear in her art as abstracted grey-scaled figures which are meant to transcend racial divides, and are inspired by her interracial relationship with her husband. She picked the color grey, since grey is an achromatic color (a color "without color.”) The “Frocasian” characters carry out Davis’ target subject matter, which draws upon a broad range of influences that internalizes her fascination with gender relations, sexuality and other social issues. What started as hard-edge acrylic paintings have evolved into multimedia work which incorporates acrylic paint, ink drawing and paper collage. Davis’ artwork has been shown in solo and group exhibitions in the United States, Europe and Cuba, including those at The Corcoran Gallery of Art, House of Sweden, Bredgade Kunsthandel and Hemphill. Her work was featured at the 13th Havana Biennial in Cuba and highlighted in the Swedish cultural television program “Sweden!” in 2019. Davis is a member of the review board for the D.C. contemporary art center IA&I at Hillyer and served as a juror for the 2013 Mayor Arts Award in Washington, D.C. Davis is a recipient of the Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant and has received multiple artist fellowships from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Her work can be found in public and private collections in the United States and in Europe.
CV
Anna U Davis
b. 1975, Lund, Sweden
Lives and works in Washington DC
EDUCATION
2002 Bachelor Degree of Arts, Studio Art, Summa Cum Laude,
The University of the District of Columbia, Washington, DC
1995 Studies in Practical Philosophy, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2021 TBD, Swedish American Museum, Chicago, IL (January - April)
2019 Take it Personal -Anna U Davis and Ola Kalnins, Bredgade Kunsthandel, Copenhagen,
Denmark
2018 Frocasian: Moving Beyond Social Constructs, Artist Proof, Washington DC
Damsels in Distress, Galerie Myrtis, Baltimore, MD
2017 - 2018 Witnesses, House of Sweden (Embassy of Sweden), Washington DC
2016 Anna U Davis - Going Big @ Dacha, Dacha Loft, Washington DC
2012 Pop-up, Gallery at Bloombars, Washington, DC
2011 A Work in Progress, Wip Gallery at Artisphere, Arlington, VA
2010 The Dance before the Kill, Long View Gallery, Washington, DC
2009 Bull’s-Eye, Long View Gallery, Washington, DC
2008 New Work, Hillyer Art Space, Washington, DC
2006 Sashimi Me, Studio One Eight, Washington, DC
2004 Frocasians, Gallery Neptune, Bethesda, MD
2003 New Work, Aroma, Washington, DC
2002 Untitled, Gallery 42, Washington, DC
2001 10 x 12, Kramerbooks, Washington, DC
1999 Anna Edholm, Aroma, Washington DC
1997 New Work, Galleri Ariman, Lund, Sweden
1997 New Work, Mejeriet Gallery, Lund , Sweden
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2021 DG2020 at Alys Beach, curated by Iddris Sandu, Ariel Adkins, Fallon Young, Evan
Narcisse, and Brett Phares (May)
2020 SHIFT Online Exhibition, McLean Projects for the Arts, McLean, VA, curated by Henry L. Thaggert
2019 Where Have We Been, Center for the Arts Gallery, Towson University, Towson, MD, curated by Dr
Erin Lehman and Dr. J. Susan Isaacs
Building Bridges: The Politics of Love, Identity and Race II, Galeria Carmen Montilla,
Havana Biennial,Havana, Cuba
2018 Entitled, 3rd Floor Gallery, Washington DC, curated by Molly Ruppert
More or Less, Hemphill, Washington DC
2017 Oh Say, Can You See? Emigre Artist In America, Charles Krause / Reporting Fine
Art, Washington DC
One Year Later, Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, Hyattsville, MD
2016 Consumption: Food as Paradox, Galerie Myrtis, Baltimore, MD
Arts and Humanities Fellowship Program Visual Arts Exhibition, I Street
Galleries, Washington, DC
2015 These Mirrors Are Not Boxes, VisArts, Rockville, MD, curated by Kayleigh N.
Bryant-Greenwell
Pulse15, Hillyer Art Space, Washington, DC
2014 Emergence: International Artist to Watch, Galerie Myrtis, Baltimore, MD,
curated by Sharon Burton, Robert Devereux, Deana Haggag, and Makgati
Molebatsi
Untitled, Gallery OneTwentyEight, New York, NY
Art Crimes, The Dunes, Washington, DC
2013 Holiday Popsicle, Gallery OneTwentyEight, New York, NY, curated by Kazuko
Miyamoto
Crowns, The Fridge, Washington, DC, curated by Zoma Wallace
Fear Strikes Back, Fine Art Gallery, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, curated by Helen
Fredericks
Art Romp, Anacostia Art Center, Washington DC, curated by Molly Ruppert
Fear Strikes Back, DCAC, Washington, DC, curated by Helen Fredericks
The Gun Show, The Dunes, Washington, DC
The Newtown Projects: A Call to Arms, Charles Krause/ Reporting Fine
Art, Washington, DC
2012 ARTpocalypse, The Dunes, Washington DC, curated by Dana Ellyn
Companion, 39 Street Gallery, Brentwood, MD
Artist Fellowship, I Street Gallery, Washington, DC
Untitled No.3, Randall Scott Projects, Washington, DC
Anniversary Exhibition, Hillyer Art Space, Washington, DC
Zeitgeist III: Too Much Information, District of Columbia Art Center,
Washington, DC
Tight Fit, The Dunes, Washington, DC
2010 Synergy, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC
Party Crashers: Comic Book Culture Invades the Art World, Terrace Gallery at Artisphere,
Arlington, VA, curated by Cynthia Connolly
11 x 51: 2011 Artist Fellowship Program, The Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts
Gallery at Smith Farm Center, Washington, DC
Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation presents THE ARTISAN SERIES,ational Visions, Washington,
DC
2009 What’s Important Now?, Nevin Kelly Gallery, Washington, DC
Stimulus, Nevin Kelly Gallery, Washington, DC, curated by Nevin Kelly
Life Essentials, Art Whino, National Harbor, MD
2008 20 x 20, Art17, Washington, DC, curated by Sondra N. Arkin
Under Surveillance, Nevin Kelly Gallery, Washington, DC, curated by Sondra N. Arkin and Ellyn
Weiss
Peace Now!, Warehouse Gallery, Washington, DC
DC Green heArt Exhibit, Lofts 11, Washington, DC
Rapture, Ecstasy & Bliss, BFC Studio B, Washington, DC
2007 Artist Collaboration, Art Whino, Alexandria, VA
Art in Heat, Warehouse Gallery, Washington, DC, curated by Scott Brooks and Jared Davis
Urbanity, Randall Scott Gallery, Washington, DC
2006 Art of War, Studio One Eight, Washington, DC
Stretched Tight, Target Gallery, Alexandria, VA, curated by Jack Rasmussen
Cupidity, Gallery Neptune, Bethesda, MD
2005 YWCA Voices Art Exhibit, Edison Place Gallery, Washington, DC, curated by Cristena Hambrick
1460 Wall Mountables, District of Columbia Arts Center, Washington, DC
2004 TFAC @ 30: A Juror’s Choice, Target Gallery, Alexandria, VA,
curated by Hester Stinnett, Dean of Tyler School of Art in
Philadelphia
The Influences of Curious George, Gallery Neptune, Bethesda, MD Torpedo Factory Art Center
Members Show, Target Gallery, Alexandria, VA
2003 ART/Silver; 25 Years of art from the University of the District of
Columbia, Martin Luther King, JR Library, Washington, DC
2000 International Expressions, Watermark Gallery, Baltimore, MD
curated by Manzar Rassouli-Taylor
International Artist Support Group; Spring around the world, Courtyard Galleries, Baltimore City
Hall, Baltimore, MD
Under the Influence: Manon Cleary and Her Student- A Retrospective, Rockville Arts Place,
Rockville, MD
ArtTromp, The Warehouse Gallery, Washington, DC
GRANTS, AWARDS, RESIDENCIES
2020 Show award winner - SHIFT Online Exhibition, McLean Projects for the Arts, McLean, VA,
curated by Henry L. Thaggert
2019 DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Projects Events and Festivals (Individuals)
2018 The Influence Nation Summit, National Geographic Society, Washington DC
2015-2016
Pollock Krasner Foundation Grant, New York, NY
2013 Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Foundation,
Emergency Assistance Grant, New York, NY
2019 -2013, 2011
DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Arts and Humanities Fellowship
Program (Individuals), Washington, DC
2011 Live drawing/painting at Wip Gallery at Artisphere, Arlington, VA
2006 DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Young Artist Program, Washington, DC
PUBLIC LECTURES
2018 Artist talk, Damsels in Distress, Galerie Myrtis, Baltimore, MD
Featured Speaker, Vital Voices: 2018 Global Mentoring Walk in Washington, DC,
House of Sweden, Washington DC
2017 Artist talk with Carolina Falkholt, Embassy of Sweden, Washington DC
Artist talk, Road to Recovery, Embassy of Sweden, Washington DC
2016 Artist talk, Galerie Myrtis, Baltimore, MD
2011 Artist talk, Artisphere, Rosslyn, VA
2006 Artist talk, Studio One Eight, Washington, DC
SELECTED PRIVATE AND PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Permanent Collection, DC Government Art Bank, Washington, DC
Dacha Loft, Washington, DC
House on the Hill Studio, Lilla Uppåkra, Sweden
The University of the District of Columbia, Washington, DC
American Humanistic Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership, Washington, DC
GCH Endowment to Promote Quality Early Childhood Education, Washington, DC
Madam’s Organ, Washington, DC
Spyken, Lund, Sweden
Dorothy Lichtenstein, New York (NY) / Southampton (NY)
David Lichtenstein and Jennifer Moore, Berkeley (CA)
Richard Gould and Lena Skanby, Bethesda (MD)
Brenda and Steffen Jacobsen, Washington DC
Sandra Taylor, Washington DC / San Francisco (CA)
Steffen and Brenda Jacobsen, Washington DC
David Furchgott and Fetneh Askari Fleischmann, Washington DC
BIBLIOGRAPHY
2020
Weiss, Ellyn. “Anna U Davis: An introduction (Art Essay),” Feminist’s Studies. Issue 46.1
2018
Capps, Kriston. “At Hemphill Fine Arts, The Past, Present and Future of Abstraction,” Washington City Paper, May 24, 2018
Weisel, Aden. “A Thousand Paper Cuts ,“http://www.bmoreart.com/2018/04/a-thousand-paper-cuts.html. April 13, 2018
Jenkins, Mark. “In the galleries: Six artists go deep into the weeds: Anna U Davis,” https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/museums/in-the-galleries-six-artists-go-deep-into-the-weeds/2018/03/01/e1663d98-1b05-11e8-98f5-ceecfa8741b6_story.html?utm_term=.016179062b13. Washington Post, March, 1, 2018. Print
BMORE Lifestyle, FOX 45, segment about artist Anna U Davis, aired 01/04/18
2017
http://blogg.kulturdep.se/kulturradsbloggen/arssammanfattning-fran-washington-d-c/
15 december, 2017
Aubert, Amy. “Breast cancer survivor shares journey through art,”
http://wjla.com/news/local/breast-cancer-survivor-shares-journey-through-art. ABC7 News, Thursday, October 26, 2017
Mickaelsson, Susanna. “Svensk USA-konstnär om bröstcancer,” http://www.alingsastidning.se/2017/10/svensk-usa-konstnar-om-brostcancer/
PUBLICERAD: 17 OKTOBER, 2017 KL 17:40
“Best Group Show: ‘Consumption: Food as Paradox’ at Galerie Myrtis,” City Paper, Baltimore, MD, September 13, 2016
Jenkins, Mark. “In the galleries: Synthetic consumer products prove to be a natural medium: Émigré Artists”https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/museums/in-the-galleries-synthetic-consumer-products-prove-to-be-a-natural-medium/2017/08/03/6f3a0a68-75ad-11e7-8c17-533c52b2f014_story.html?utm_term=.1a144ae6d073, August 3, 2017
“Picture Perfect,” Washington Life Magazine, April 11, 2017, P17
2016
Rudig, Stephanie “The People Issue: Conversations with 23 of D.C.'s most interesting people,” http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/special-issues/article/20846183/the-people-issue-2016#davis Washington City Paper, DEC 8, 2016 11 AM
http://www.citypaper.com/bob/2016/artsandentertainment/bcpnews-best-group-show-consumption-food-as-paradox-at-galerie-myrtis-20160913-story.html
Callahan, Maura and Kirkman, Rebekah. “Baltimore at Art Basel: Checking in with the local artists and spaces that showcased in Miami,” http://www.citypaper.com/blogs/noise/bcpnews-baltimore-artists-in-art-basel-20161205-story.html Citypaper, December 5, 2016
Heckathorn, Mark. “Lofty Dining,”http://dconheels.com/2016/09/26/lofty-dining/, September 26, 2016
Hayes, Laura. “Buzzy D.C. Beer Garden Launches a Supper Club,” Washington Citypaper: September 9, 2016
Schmelzer, Elise. “Beyond chemo: Cancer patients, survivors take up paintbrushes to heal.” Washington Post: July 5, 2016, http://www.niagara-gazette.com/cnhi_network/cancer-patients-employ-a-brushstroke-of-creativity-to-overcome-chemo/article_fa066977-8a95-57fc-bc43-fc9dff165f5c.html
Helping Cancer Survivors through Art, http://www.medstarwashington.org/blog/2016/07/07/cancer-survivors-find-peace-through-art
Nania, Rachel. “Cancer Survivors through Art.”http://wtop(http://wtop.com/author/rachel-nania/) | @rnania (https://twitter.com/rnania) July 6, 2016 1:10 am
Kirkman, Rebekah. “A mélange of artists dive deep into food to talk about race, class, gender, and culture.” Baltimore City Paper: March 2, 2016
2015
Jenkins, Mark. “Anything but simplicity in these drawings .” The Washington Post: July 2, 2015
Jenkins, Mark. “In the galleries: Katrina and a tempest of symbols.” The Washington Post: May 15, 2015
Hope, Eric. “East City Art Reviews; DC’s 2015 Artist Fellowship Program Exhibition.” http://www.eastcityart.com. March 3, 2015
2013
Jenkins, Mark. "Fear Strikes Back."The Washington Post: May 30, 2013
Rieger, Wendy. "The Newtown Project: A Call To Arms."http://www.nbcwashington.com/video/#!/entertainment/the-scene/The-Newtown-Project--A-Call-to-Arms/188422151. January 27, 2013
Campello, Lenny. "Beer InterventionProject."http://dcartnews.blogspot.com/2013/02/beer-art-intervention-project.html. February 28, 2013
2012
Michelsen, Susanna. "Svenska konstnären Anna U. Davis i Washington Post." ALINGSÅS Tidning August 8: 2012
Jenkins, Mark. "Anna U Davis."The Washington Post: July 27, 2012; C8
2011
Mack, Stephen. "Anna U Davis: Artist Profile." The Examiner: October 31, 2011
Tresscott, Jacqueline. “Artisphere appoints first executive director,” www.washingtonpost.com. January 10, 2011
2010
Carothers, Sara. “Comics Crash the Party at the Artisphere and AAC.” http://ballston.patch.com. December 12, 2010
Bloch, Brandon. “The Dance before the Kill.” www.readysetdc.com. June, 2010
Weiss, Ellyn. “Dance Before the Kill: Anna U Davis at Long View.” www.pinklineproject.com. June 4, 2010
Heuser, Tara. “The Dance before the Kill.” www.pinklineproject.com. June 7, 2010
O’Sullivan, Michael. “Gallery Opening of the Week.” The Washington Post: May 28, 2010; WE45 Aineki. “PHOTOS: Anna Davis' Dance Before the Kill @ Long View Gallery.” www.brightestyoungthings.com. June 7, 2010
2009
Mixer, David. ”Anna U. Davis at Long View Gallery.” http://remakingleslumhistorique.blogspot.com. March 9, 2009
Jackson, Veronica. “Art Chat: Sacha J reports on the power of art to change lives.” www.hoogrrl.com. March 20, 2009
Michelsen, Susanna. “Talangfulla svenska konstnärer i Washington DC.” www.alingsastidning.se. November 2, 2009
2008
“Anna U Davis.” www.juxtapoz.com. May 5, 2008
Farrell, Heather, “Art Speaks Universal Languages: Immigrants Contribute To an Evolving Scene.” The Washington Post: March 20, 2008;PG03
XFUNS Magazine, Taiwan. No. 38 Oct/Nov issue, 2008; P98-103.
2006
Campello, Lenny. “Pippi Takes a Ride.” Old Town Crier: April 2006
Beckham, Rachel. “Sushi so unusual.” The Washington Citypaper: March 10-15, 2006
Segura, Encarna. “Naked Emotions.” Washington Voz: February 24, 2006
WPA, 2006-2007, Artist Directory, Washington DC, 2006
2005
Campello, Lenny. “Wall Mountables at DCAC.” www.dcartnews.blogspot.org. 2005
2000
Ungar, Nancy.” Cleary and students at RAP: 30 years of passing on tradition.” The Gazette: Rockville Dec. 2000; B-3.
RELATED PROFESSIONAL ART EXPERIENCE
2017 - Hillyer Art Space Advisory Board
2013 28th Mayor’s Art Award judge panelist - DC Commission on the Arts and
Humanities, Washington, DC
Member of the National Museum of Women in the Arts