Bio
Francena Ottley is an NYC based Photographer and Installation Artist. Her work consists of using different medias to create narrative pieces as well as fashion pieces that focus on empowering people of color. Her goal is to always make work that speaks to people, empowers people, and shares knowledge.
Education
2019
BFA - Photography and Video, School of Visual Arts, NYC
2015
HSD - Graphic Communications, Thomas A. Edison CTE High School, NYC
Exhibitions
Curation
2019
Curator for 2019 Black Art Matters blog on Ello
Solo Exhibitions
2018
Mayoridad (Coming of Age) at The Living Gallery Outpost in NYC
2017
She Tells Me… An Interactive Experience at Disclaimer Gallery in NYC
2016
Our Perceived Limitations at School of Visual Arts in NYC
Group Exhibitions
2019
19.5% with Little Berlin Gallery in Philadelphia, PA
Senior Thesis Show at School of Visual Arts in NYC
SKIN with Curated by Girls and Pornceptual in Berlin, Germany
First Thursdays Spotlight Series with Adidas Originals and Creative Debuts in Shoreditch, London
Nasty Women Exhibition 2019 with Nasty Women Portugal in Lisbon, Portugal
Fashion Photography Exhibition with Downtown Arts Collective in Orlando, FL
Black History Month Exhibition at School of Visual Arts in NYC
2018
Constellations at SVA Chelsea Gallery in NYC
Empowerment with Creative Debuts and Nasty Women in Shoreditch, London
2017
This is Permanent at School of Visual Arts in NYC
Posture x Ello Issue 04 Release Party at Superchief Gallery in NYC
The Future is (Black) Femme at ATYPE in NYC
Becoming Shades at SVA Flatiron Gallery in NYC
Black History Month Exhibition at School of Visual Arts in NYC
Whitney Houston Biennial at Chashama in NYC
Say Her Name: Being Here and Now at School of Visual Arts in NYC
Genius Loves Company at Art Gallery Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Building in NYC
2016
Seat of Heritage for NYC Art Grind Event in NYC
Our Perceived Limitations for Planet X NYC Art Grind All Female Artist Event in NYC
Aisha Abdulkadiri for Freshman Show at School of Visual Arts in NYC
Retrospect for Collaboration in Art Group Show in NYC
Bronx Art Space Exhibition in NYC
2015
Sky High for Photographic Society of America Youth Showcase in New Mexico
Publications
A Morena's Story for Having a Nosey Issue 1: The Activism & Empowerment Issue (cover & feature)
Feature in Like a Girl Issue 05
Mayoridad (Coming of Age) published in JaamZIN Creative Magazine
Feature in SHEER Magazine
Mayoridad (Coming of Age) published on Refinery29 UK
Mayoridad (Coming of Age) published on Girl Gaze
Mayoridad (Coming of Age) published on Curated by GIRLS
Elektra published in Rebelle Magazine
Wallets That Pull Double-Duty published on Refinery29
Pleasures published on Extra Butter NY
A Morena's Story published in Sukeban Magazine
The Rewrite published in #PHOTOGRAPHY Magazine
How to Survive As A Black Women published in Visual Opinion Vol. 24 Issue 1 Open
Our Perceived Limitations published in Visual Opinion Vol. 23 Issue 2 Voice
Las Verdades published in Visual Opinion Vol. 22 Issue 4 Identity
Queens Art Intervention: Dwelling in Partner with Deborah Wasserman’s Hospitality at Queens Museum
Press
HypeAllergic View of the Arts VillageVoice BedfordandBowery
Nylon theFourohFive Bust Voice of NY
Drool Ello Hype Caribbean Mag TimesLedger
Art Slant Chocolate Informed Art Rabbit Modern Ghana