Deana Lawson's Biography
Deana Lawson is a contemporary American photographer known for her sensitive yet powerful portraits of African diasporic communities. Born in 1979 in Rochester, New York, Lawson grew up in the nearby town of Jamaica, Queens. After studying at SUNY Purchase College and Parsons School of Design, she got her start in photography as an assistant to renowned fashion photographers. However, her true passion lay in portraiture, and she soon began to focus on creating intimate portraits of neighbors, friends, and family members. Her work has been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions, including at the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Brooklyn Museum, and the Guggenheim Museum. In her photographs, Lawson captures the beauty and humanity of everyday life, often highlighting the overlooked and often marginalized members of society. Through her work, Lawson hopes to create an honest portrait of the African diaspora, one that is distinct from the often-stereotypical, monolithic images seen in the media.