Professor Chandler—Enlightened, Evolved, and Erudite.
Gallery
One of the most prolific artists in history, Chandler has created several thousand pieces in his almost 60-year career. In this gallery, you can view pieces from most of his series and determine which you would like to exhibit or purchase. Visit the gallery then reach out to us for more details.
Book
Learn how to book this internationally renowned, message-oriented artist whose narrative is as contemporary, relevant, and witty today as always. Down-to-earth and easy to engage, he available for limited appearances in person and virtually, he may be available for your event. Want to get Prof. Chandler as a speaker for your next event or interview him for your article, or television, radio or online show? Learn how.
Press Room
A former journalist himself, the artist has an extensive press history. Learn how to get his artist’s statement, selected bibliography and images, awards and other information to help you with your coverage. You may also learn more about Prof. Chandler’s current and future activities, including exhibitions. Read more.
Chandler Receives Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts Degree from Simmons University
Black Student Organization undergraduates at Simmons University, to whom Chandler was a faculty advisor, frequently used Chandler’s space at 11 Leon Street to hold gatherings, events, and meetings. Here, one sings for her audience in 1975. Photo: Dana C. Chandler, Jr. All rights reserved.
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Acquires "Fred Hampton's Door 2"
Professor Chandler’s seminal 1974 sculpture, “Fred Hampton’s Door 2,” recently got acquired by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston after traveling in the blockbuster exhibition, “Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power” from July 2017 through August 2020.
In an article on Boston’s “WBUR The Artery” announcing the sale on his 80th birthday, the artist said about the acquisition, “It feels like my Americanness as a Black artist and Black person is finally getting recognized by this great American museum.”
We are delighted the work is now part of the collection of one of the most distinguished museums in the world. Read more about the work, its creation, and its history here.
[Chandler’s works are exclusively represented under contract with Celebrated Activist Artist. The contact for purchasing other works, exhibitions, or interviews is Chandler’s daughter and artist representative, Dahna M. Chandler. No other person or organization is authorized to represent the artist or his work. Contact Ms. Chandler for more details. Do not attempt to contact the artist directly, or his other family members or friends about his work, exhibitions or interviews. Inquiries get redirected to the artist’s exclusive artist representative]
Left: “Fred Hampton’s Door 2” (c) 1974. Dana C. Chandler, Jr. Work owned by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, with copyrights retained by the artist. Contact MFA, Boston for exhibition information, and to discuss other uses.
Dana Chandler Receives a 2018 MassArt Alumni Award
Dana Chandler, ’67 (BFA Art Education) (right) stands with John Crowe ’71 (BFA Art Education) (middle), and Elisabeth Subrin ’90 (BFA Film/Video) (left) at the reception for the 2018 MassArt Alumni Awards. (Photo: Renee Ricciardi)
Boston – November 4, 2018 – Surrounded by family and with friends, and fans applauding, Dana Chandler received a 2018 MassArt Alumni award from his college alma mater, the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Chandler graduated from the institution in 1967 with a BS Teacher Education and went on to teach, retiring in 2004 from Simmons University (formerly Simmons College) after 33 years.
“I can’t tell you how honored I am, how proud I am to receive this wonderful honor from my college alma mater,” enthused the 77-year-old activist artist. The two other award-winners were John Crowe ’71 (BFA Art Education), and Elisabeth Subrin ’90 (BFA Film/Video), both shared memories… (Read More)
Chandler’s sister-in-law, Celeste Dancy, stands before several of the artist’s newest works during the pre-dinner reception and ‘pop-up’ exhibition for the 2018 MassArt Alumni Awards where Chandler was an honoree. (Photo: Renee Ricciardi)Artist's Statement: "The Race Question and My Art Answered"
When people see Images like this one, The Black AmeriKKKlan Experience: Murdered While Black, they envision an enraged black painter contemplating the same fate experienced by the subject of this painting for all white people. That couldn’t be further from my truth.
I can’t say I wasn’t enraged when I painted this piece in 1974 to confront the wyte (racist caucasian) supremacist police brutality that was being perpetrated against black men even then. I’m was, and justifiably so. But, because of artwork like this that conveys that rage projected by wyte supremacists onto black bodies, I’ve always been considered a “controversial political artist.”
My art makes white and other people uncomfortable in their denial, complacency, and complicity in the destruction of black lives. Black lives have always mattered to me and most of my art expresses that. As such, others have given me many labels over the years intended to categorize me as an artist based on its focus and content. They’ve created narratives about me that portray me as a dangerous, hate-filled black agitator who should be silenced to protect white people from harm.
But, showing love for my own people through my art does not translate into hatred for other racial groups. Unlike wyte nationalists, I don’t feel the need to exterminate other racial groups to prove my love for my own.
I’ve also been given interesting monikers over the years, most I’ve embraced. They include “Black Power Artist,” “Black Nationalist Artist,” “The Original Hip Hop Artist” and “Outsider Artist.” All reflect my status as a historical forerunner in the black activist art world as well as in the black political activist movement.
But many of these labels, typically given to me by white people, also have negative connotations. Some are part of those narratives constructed to portray me as a menace to society; an anti-American radical.
It’s those labels that endanger black men who speak out against the brutality and injustices routinely perpetrated against us that lead to suppressing us by incarceration and silencing us with assassination. People have made death threats against me… (Read More)
AAMARP News
AAMARP and MNCAA Honor Dana Chandler: This photo shows celebrated activist artist, Dana Chandler (sitting; right center), in Boston with African American Master Artist-in-Residence Program (AAMARP) and other Boston artists. All were in attendance at the November 3, 2018 “welcome home” celebration for the artist at the Museum of the National Center for Afro-American Artists (MNCAAA). Some 75 guests joined in the festivities. The event got co-sponsored by the MNCAAA and AAMARP, which Chandler created and founded and that opened 40 years ago in November 1978. The MNCAAA’s founder and director, Barry Gaither, stands in the far left of the image. He is a long-time Chandler friend and supporter. Chandler attended this celebration in his honor while in Boston to receive a 2018 MassArt Alumni Award. (Photo: Greg Cook, Wonderland)
Black Artist Collective Locked Out Of Studios At Northeastern University
TheArtery—WBUR, June 29, 2020
Black Artists Residency Program Says Northeastern Has Again Locked Them Out. Protest Planned For Saturday
Wonderland, June 26, 2020
Black Arts Residency Program Continues Negotiations With Northeastern As Deadline To Get Out Passes
Wonderland, October 31, 2018
AAMARP artists exhibit at the Boston International Fine Art Show
The Bay State Banner, October 18, 2018
AAMARP Artists Emerge From Northeastern Negotiations For First Group Exhibit In Years
The ARTery—WBUR, October 17, 2018
Tensions Between Black Artist Program And Northeastern Go Back Decades
Interview with Chandler-The Artery—WBUR, August 21, 2018
Northeastern Delays Deadline For Landmark Black Arts Program To Vacate Boston Building, Some Artists Object To Negotiation Ground Rules
Wonderland, August 13, 2018
Eviction delayed for Black arts collective at Northeastern studios
The Bay State Banner, August 1, 2108
Black Arts Collective Allowed To Occupy Northeastern Building Through October
The ARTery—WBUR, July 31, 2018
Mayor Pushes Northeastern To Give Landmark Black Artists Residency Program More Time To Vacate Boston Building
Wonderland, July 25, 2018
City Intervenes In Black Arts Collective Eviction Case With Northeastern
The ARTery—WBUR, July 24, 2018
Black Arts Group At Odds With Northeastern Over Orders To Vacate And Lockout Allegations
The ARTery—WBUR, July 10, 2018
Northeastern Says Landmark Black Artists Residency Program ‘Must Vacate’ Jamaica Plain Building
Wonderland, July 3, 2018
Northeastern University moves to evict legacy artist-in-residence program: AAMARP
Arts Under the Dome, July 3, 2018
Northeastern University Tells African-American Artist Program To Vacate Space
The ARTery—WBUR, July 2, 2018
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