Annu Palakunnathu Matthew

Discipline: Photography

Based In: Providence, RI

Year at Millay: 2004

Awards/Honors: Fellow, Civitella Ranieri Fellowship, Civitella Ranieri Foundation, New York, NY (2021); Fulbright Scholar to India, Arts, Fulbright US Scholar Program (2019–2020, 2012–2013); Fellow, The Robert and Margaret MacColl Johnson Fellowship, Rhode Island Foundation, Providence, RI  (2007); Fellow, MacDowell, Peterborough, NH (2003); Fellow, John Gutmann Photography Fellowship, San Francisco Foundation, San Francisco, CA (2003); Artist-in-Residence, Woodstock AIR, Center for Photography at Woodstock, Woodstock, NY (2001); Artist-in-Residence, Light Work, Syracuse, NY (1999).

Website: https://www.annumatthew.com/

Annu Palakunnathu Matthew’s photo-based artwork is a blend of still and moving imagery using photography, video, sculpture, and sound. Her larger work often starts with a personal experience and evolves into collaborating with others to reveal lesser-known histories.

Matthew’s recent solo exhibitions include the Royal Ontario Museum, Canada, Nuit Blanche Toronto, Newport Art Museum, and sepiaEYE in New York City. Matthew has also exhibited her work at the RISD Museum, Newark Art Museum, MFA Boston, San Jose Museum of Art, MFA Houston, Victoria & Albert Museum, 2018 Kochi-Muziris Biennale, 2018 Fotofest Biennial, 2009 Guangzhou Photo Biennial, as well as at the Smithsonian. 

Grants and fellowships that have supported her work include a MacColl Johnson, John Gutmann, two Fulbright Fellowships, and grants from the Rhode Island State Council of the Arts. In addition, she has been an artist in residence at Anderson Ranch, Center for Photography at Woodstock, Civitella Ranieri, Lightwork, Yaddo, and MacDowell.

Annu Palakunnathu Matthew is a Professor of Art at the University of Rhode Island and was the Director of the Center for the Humanities from 2013–2019, and the 2015–2017 Silvia-Chandley Professor of Nonviolence and Peace Studies and is represented by sepiaEYE in New York City.