IMANI McCRAY - ARTISTS PROFILE

IMANI McCRAY

b.1992

Baltimore, Maryland

IMANI McCRAY I Born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1992 as a black child, the probability of me being dead or a negative statistic was inherited from birth. While I experienced much trauma and pain growing up as a child of poverty, divorce, abuse, and adoption, I recognize that there is much love and hope in the world. Therefore, I want to heal and make a better world for all through my artwork and photojournalism. With the help of those who have come into my life, I have triumphed over many negative odds and wish to help others overcome their adversity. As individuals, it’s not our fault that we have inherited a broken world--a world where a single breath can sometimes feel like it is too much to go on. Our once-flourishing flora browns and withers, our clean water becomes sewage, our air turns to carbon, viruses flourish, and peace turns to war and violence. Nevertheless, if we are conscious enough to recognize these and so many more global issues, we are then bestowed with a new responsibility to act. Through the challenge of healing my community and the broader world, I found the power and my passion for photojournalism. We cannot hide from the truth, instead, we must expose the truth and find ways to encourage love and hope and defeat violence and hatred.

McCarthy Gallery is proud to represent Imani McCray in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.

EDUCATION

East Carolina University (ECU) August 2018 to May 2021
BFA in Graphic Design Greenville, NC
(ECU) Study Abroad January 2019 to April 2019
Photography Intensive Florence, Italy
Minneapolis Community and Technical College August 2014 to May 2016
Awards: Student Leadership Award (May 2016) Minneapolis, MN
Student Associations: African American Education
Empowerment Program.

EXHIBITIONS

Be the Change: Actions and Reaction February 2023 to March 2023
North Carolina Museum of Art, Solo Exhibition Greenville, NC
Omens of Halitherses April 2022 to July 2022
Solo Exhibition Kefalonia, Greece
Loosenart February 2022 to February 2022
Political Statements Group Exhibition Rome, Italy
Capture The Moment September 2020 to October 2020
Collaborative Photography Exhibition New York City, NY
Certaldo Alto March 2019 to April 2019
Collaborative Photography Exhibition Florence, Italy

WORK HISTORY

Ionian Art and Cultural Center Greece April 2022 to July 2022
Photojournalist and Artist in Residence Kefalonia, Greece
Three month environmental advocacy initiative
working with Geopark Kefalonia Ithaca and the
Greek municipality to clean,preserve and document
historic coastlines, lakes, and caves.
Be the Change Magazine August 2020 to February 2022
Creator, Artistic Director, Designer, Photographer New York City, NY
Photojournalism design campaign focused on
social justice.
East Carolina SoAD “School of Art and Design” September 2019 to April 2020
Graphic Designer and Photographer Greenville, NC
Designing for the director of the SoAD.
Room 108 Gallery November 2019 to April 2020
Artist Residence Greenville, NC
one- year photography exhibit and residency.
The Harvey Galleries July 2016 to January 2017
Art Consultant Sydney, Australia
Maintained a high volume and fast pace art gallery.
Gave superb and genuine customer care. Sold more
then $80,000 in art over three months

PHILANTHROPY

ARK Animal Shelter April 2022 to July 2022
Volunteer Kefalonia, Greece
Peace Corps August 2020 to May 2021
Campus Ambassador Greenville, NC
World Central Kitchen COVID-19 Relief March 2020 to July 2020
Assistant Manager New York City, NY
True Colors Honoring Stonewall 2019 November 2019 to April 2020
Photographer Greenville, NC
WCK Hurricane Florence Relief September 2018 to October 2018
Volunteer Coastal, NC
supported WCK’s efforts to fly and air-drop
hundreds of pounds of food and supplies to
damaged coastal cities in North Carolina.
Plan My Gap Year July 2017 to August 2017
Art Teacher New Delhi, India
Volunteered in New Delhi, India by lived
and worked in an orphanage to
aid in slum clinics and teaching art in schools
for children with disabilities.

Free Consultation:

Provides advice on purchasing art
Helps build art collections
Helps private clients and businesses source artworks
Appraises artworks
Organises delivery and installation
Provides art and design consultation onsite
Delivers custom needs