Daniel Oliva
43 Deepgreen Lane, 1957-2018, 2024
Digital photo collage on paper
Artist's proof
11" x 14"

Artist Statement

The Myers family home, the first Black family to move into the restricted "all-white" suburban town, surrounded by a crowd of white neighbors, many demanding that the Myers family be removed. Later throwing rocks through their windows. The police did almost nothing to protect the family, mainly watching the crowd. I visited the home years later, it was a rental property. Levittown today is still 80% white. What's past is prologue.
My work addresses group power dynamics through social identities and relationships, and how they are expressed through economic and social inequality. Through extensive research into historical events I highlight the motivations and personalities of individual actors who behave as both singular decision makers and parts of various intersecting groups, often either wielding power or being subjected to it.

Artist Bio

I am a Philadelphia area artist who holds an MFA from the University of Pennsylvania School of Design, Philadelphia and a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore. I was a member of the Pink Noise Projects collective. I have exhibited at The Galleries at Moore, Goggleworks Art Center, Pentimenti Gallery, NAPOLEON, Marginal Utility, and Bridgette Mayer Gallery. I have curated 2020's Room for One and Speak Out! The Historical Self at Pink Noise Projects and co-curated shows, including Immigration Now at Penn State Abington and Exquisite Form: A Fiber Invitational, at Allens Lane Art Center in Philadelphia. I am an adjunct Professor at Penn State University, Abington, Drexel University, Philadelphia, West Chester University and was an undergraduate instructor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Design

www.danieloliva.com

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