Shannon Benine

Bio

As a North American artist, educator, and curator, I illuminate hidden narratives and foster critical dialogue. Employing photography, video, sound, and installation art, I explore the complex interplay between personal experience and societal forces, analyzing how systemic oppression silences and impacts personal and communal agency. My artistic research investigates the intersection of lived experiences with cultural and historical contexts, using documentary strategies to challenge dominant perspectives. Through visual storytelling, I create spaces for contemplation and understanding, highlighting the profound connections between individual realities and the larger societal frameworks that influence them. My educational and curatorial work extends this exploration by amplifying diverse voices and promoting critical engagement.

My artwork has been held in several collections including the Museum of Contemporary Photography in Chicago, the National Centre of Contemporary Art in Moscow, Russia and the Kalaupapa National Historic Museum in Hawai’i. I have received grant support from multiple institutions including the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, Midwest Society for Photographic Education and the Greater Columbus Arts Council. My work has been exhibited at the Columbus Museum of Art in Columbus, Ohio; the Catherine Edelman Gallery in Chicago, Illinois; the Griffin Museum of Photography in Winchester, Massachusetts and the Photographic Center Northwest in Seattle, Washington.

With an MFA in Photography from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a BFA from the University of Washington, my artistic practice is deeply informed by my background in visual arts and art history. I have taught photography in higher education for nearly two decades, and currently live and work as an Associate Professor of Photography in Los Angeles County.