Faculty

Profile

Freya Powell has a research-based practice that investigates traces of history and grievability. She creates ensemble performances, sound installations, and videos that are anchored by the voice and are poetic in nature. She has performed, screened, and exhibited her work nationally and internationally at institutions including, Triennale Milano, MoMA PS1, Videotage, Art in General, Queens Museum, Arts Santa Monica, and Socrates Sculpture Park, among others. She has received grants from NYSCA, Queens Council on the Arts, and NYFA. Her work is in the collections of the Los Angeles Contemporary Archive, the Smithsonian Institution Libraries, and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Powell holds an MFA in Combined Media from Hunter College and a BA from Bard College.

 

Degrees Held

MFA, CUNY: Hunter College

BA, Bard College

Performances and Appearances

Performances and Solo Exhibitions:
2026    A Maritime Haunting. Sorbonne Université. Paris, FR.
2026    A Maritime Haunting. FOG26 Performing Arts Festival. Triennale Milano. IT.
2025    Breathturning, EARTH. New York, NY
2024    A Maritime Haunting. Rubenstein Arts Center at Duke University. Durham, NC.
2024    Spaces of Exception. Videotage. Hong Kong.
2023    I cannot not grieve: CRY SCREAM SHOUT SING. More Art. Elmhurst Hospital, Elmhurst, NY. East Meadow, Central Park, Manhattan, NY. Greenwood Cemetery. Brooklyn, NY.
2021    Only Remains Remain. Greater New York. MoMA PS1. Long Island City, NY.
2021    No puedo no estar lamentándome: LLORA CHILLA GRITA CANTA. Queens Museum. Corona, NY.
2017    The Silence of the Unsaid, Art in General. Brooklyn, NY.
2017    Omniscience and Oblivion, Basile Gallery at the Herron School of Art and Design.Indianapolis, IN.
2014    I’ll smile and I'm not sad and other present pasts, Arts Santa Monica. Barcelona, Spain.
2013    I'll smile and I'm not sad, Emerson Dorsch. Miami, FL.

Research Interests

voice, memory, myth, history, idea development, individual/collective memory, archives

Awards And Honors

2025    School-based Grant. The New School. New York, NY.
2025    Individual artist grant. NYSCA. New York, NY.
2024    School-based Grant. The New School. New York, NY.
2023    School-based Grant. The New School. New York, NY.
2023    Individual artist grant. NYSCA. New York, NY.
2021    NYFA City Artist Corps Grant, New York Foundation for the Arts
2021    Engaging Artists Fellowship. More Arts. Brooklyn, NY.
2021    New Works Grant. Queens Council on the Arts. Astoria, NY.
2019    New Works Grant. Queens Council on the Arts. Astoria, NY.
2018    Residency fellowship, NARS Foundation. Brooklyn, NY.
2017    New Commission. Art in General. Brooklyn, NY.
2015    Socrates Sculpture Park Emerging Artist Fellowship, Long Island City, NY.
2011    William Graf Travel Grant, Hunter College. New York, NY.
2011    Artist grant. Contemporary Arts Center- Woodside. Troy, NY.
2009    Artist grant. Vermont Studio Center. Johnson, VT.