BIO

Marvin Touré (b. 1991) is an Ivorian-American artist whose interests in familial and cultural storytelling guide his interdisciplinary practice. Touré engages with mythology and the objects of innocence as vehicles to investigate themes of memory and constructed histories. In 2014 he received a B.A. in New Media Arts with a minor in Architecture from Southern Polytechnic State University (now Kennesaw State University) in Marietta, Georgia. In 2016 he received an M.F.A. in Fine Arts from The School of Visual Arts in New York City. Marvin has also completed residencies at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, the Franconia Sculpture Park as a Jerome Foundation Fellow, Governors Island, New York via the School of Visual Arts New York City and 1Hood Media’s Artivist Academy. His work has been featured in solo and group exhibitions at Jan Brandt Gallery (Bloomington, Illinois), Bridget Donahue Gallery (New York), Material Art Fair (Mexico City), PRIZM Art Fair (Miami) The Hole (New York), Project for Empty Space (Newark, New Jersey), Smack Mellon (Brooklyn, New York), The University of Connecticut - Stamford, Penn State University, Eastern Connecticut State University, the August Wilson African American Cultural Center (Pittsburgh), The AC Institute (New York), Haul Gallery (Brooklyn, New York), and The Mattress Factory (Pittsburgh). Touré has received awards from the Black Artist Fund, the Peter S. Reed Foundation for Mixed Media/Sculpture, The Heinz Endowments Creative Development Award, and Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh via The Pittsburgh Foundation. Touré was also awarded one of two 20th anniversary commissions for the I-Park Foundation’s 2021 Site-Responsive Art Biennale (East Haddam, Connecticut), and was named the inaugural artist-in-residence at Alma | Lewis (Pittsburgh). Touré currently maintains a practice in Pittsburgh, where he also teaches at Carnegie Mellon University’s school of art and the University of Pittsburgh in the architectural studies program.

photo courtesy of ALMA|LEWIS

Education

School of Visual Arts

New York, NY

M.F.A. Fine Arts, (2016)

Southern Polytechnic State University (now Kennesaw State University)

Marietta, Ga

B.A. New Media Arts

Minor in Architecture, (2014)

Residencies

The Mattress Factory, Pittsburgh, PA (2023-2024)
1Hood Media Artivist Academy, Pittsburgh, PA (2023)
Protohaven Teaching Fellowship Program, Pittsburgh, PA (2022)
Alma|Lewis, Inaugural Artist in Residence, Pittsburgh, PA (2021)
SVA MFA Fine Arts, Life on an Island, Colonels Row, Governors Island, NY (2019)
Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer, MN (2018)
Skowhegan School of Painting & Sculpture,

Skowhegan, ME (2016)

Grants, Honors, and Awards

The Pittsburgh Foundation Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh (2023)
The Heinz Endowments Creative Development Award (2022)
I-Park Foundation 20th Anniversary Commission (2021)
Black Artist Fund Grant Recipient (2020)
Peter S. Reed Foundation Mixed Media/Sculpture Grant Recipient (2020)
FSP/Jerome Foundation Fellowship, (2018)

Public Works/Special Projects

PearlPRESENTS, Sum of Y’all (collaboration with STAYCEE PEARL dance project & Soy Sos) Kelly Strayhorn Theater, Pittsburgh, PA (Performed 2023)
INTERIM: Props Prompts and Play, Sum of Y’all (collaboration with STAYCEE PEARL dance project & Soy Sos) KST Alloy Studios, Pittsburgh, PA (Performed 2023)
Peachwood Circle & Other Southern Gothics, I-Park Foundation, East Haddam, CT (Installed 2021-Present)

Topic 3: Consciousness, Franconia Sculpture Park

Shafer, MN (Installed 2018-Present)

Teaching and Review Panels

Faculty, Carnegie Mellon University School of Art, Advanced SIS (SCULPTURE, INSTALLATION & SITE WORK): Open Sculpture (2024)
Faculty, University of Pittsburgh Architectural Studies,
Architecture Design Studio 1 ARC 1201 (2024)
Reviewer, Carnegie Mellon University School of Architecture, Third Year Praxis I Architecture Design Studio Final Review (2023)
Faculty, University of Pittsburgh Architectural Studies,
Foundations Studio 1 ARC 0201 (2023)
Studio Instructor, Carnegie Mellon University School of Architecture, Pre-College Design Studio (2023)
Reviewer, Carnegie Mellon University School of Architecture, Poiesis II Architecture Design Studio Final Review (2023)
Faculty, University of Pittsburgh Architectural Studies,
Architecture Design Studio 1 ARC 1201 (2023)
Faculty, University of Pittsburgh Architectural Studies,
Foundations Studio 1 ARC 0201 (2022)
Grant Review Panelist, The Heinz Endowments,
The Creative Development Awards (2021)
Reviewer, Carnegie Mellon University School of Architecture, Poiesis I Architecture Design Studio Final Review (2021)
Reviewer, University of Pittsburgh Architectural Studies,
Foundations Studio Final Review (2021)
National Art Juror, Alliance for Young Artists Scholastic Art & Writing Awards (2021)
Reviewer, University of Pittsburgh Architectural Studies,
Studio 2 ARC 1202 Final Review (2020)
Admissions Review Panelist, School of Visual Arts MFA Fine Arts (2016)

Artist Talks

Guest Lecturer, Pre-College Design Seminar, Carnegie Mellon University School of Architecture

Pittsburgh, PA (2023)

Guest Lecturer, PROFPRAC 3900: Redefining Success as an Artist,

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Virtual (2023)

Panelist, Look + Listen: An Evening of In-gallery Conversations SLAY: Artemisia Gentileschi & Kehinde Wiley, The Frick Pittsburgh,
Pittsburgh, PA (2022)

Alma|Lewis Artist in Conversation, in conversation with Tundy Wey
Pittsburgh, PA (2022)

Alma|Lewis Livestream Conversations, in conversation with Murjoni Merriweather
Pittsburgh, PA (2022)
Panelist, Finding Space & Time: Hacking Artist Residencies, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Virtual (2022)
Guest Lecturer, Research Studio II,

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Virtual (2022)
Guest Lecturer, PROFPRAC 3900: Redefining Success as an Artist, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Virtual (2022)

Alma|Lewis Inaugural open studios,
Pittsburgh, PA (2021)

Black Lunch Table,
in conversation with Kilolo Luckett
Virtual (2021)

L’ÉPILOGUE, haul gallery, moderated by Erin Davis and Max C Lee-Russell
Virtual (2021)
SCULPTURE X Symposium, Art & Agency,
in conversation with Kilolo Luckett and moderated by Delanie Jenkins
Virtual (2020)

IN CONVERSATION with Charlene Stevens,

LatchKey Gallery @HOME

Virtual (2020)

IN CONVERSATION with Dr. Philip Murray, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, LatchKey Gallery @HOME
Virtual (2020)
IN CONVERSATION with Niama Safia Sandy and Tsedaye Makonnen, LatchKey Gallery
Virtual (2020)

Visibly Invisible: A Discussion on Being Black at SVA, moderated by LaTonia Shanée Allen,
Virtual (2020)

Art & Now, THE COLLAB.,

moderated by Alaina Simone,
Virtual (2020)

ARTIST ROUNDTABLE “Protest Art,”

LIVING LIFE FEARLESS
Virtual (2020)

Artist Talk and Studio Visits, Williams College,
Williamstown, MA (2019)

Invited artist: Painting Multi Level course,

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago,
Chicago, Illinois (2019)

Race and Revolution: Panel Discussion,

The August Wilson Center,
Pittsburgh, PA (2019)

Race and Revolution: Still Separate – Still Unequal, The August Wilson Center,
Pittsburgh, PA (2019)

Soho House Photo and Art Club, SOHO HOUSE,
New York, NY (2019)

Franconia Sculpture Park,
Shafer, MN (2018)

{Fig. 27} the {X} mutation,

moderated by Rahsaan Gandy,
The AC Institute, New York, NY (2018)

SVA x Skowhegan: A Conversation with Lauren Haynes, Miryana Todorova, and Marvin Touré,
SVA Chelsea Gallery, New York, NY (2017)

(Re)Vision, Jan Brandt Gallery,
Bloomington, IL (2015)

Selected Solo Exhibitions

the blood is the water., The Mattress Factory, Pittsburgh, PA (2024-2025)

L’ÉPILOGUE, haul gallery

Brooklyn, NY (2021)

Paranoia’s Midnight, haul gallery

Brooklyn, NY (2019)

{Fig. 27} the {X} mutation, The AC Institute

New York, NY (2018)

Selected Group Exhibitions

New Member Exhibition, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA (2022)
Site-Responsive Art Biennale, I-Park Foundation, East Haddam, CT (2021)
Racism: The Other American Pandemic, Eastern Connecticut State University, Virtual (2020)
A Muffled Sound Underwater, LatchKey Gallery, New York, NY (2020)
parade, uhaul gallery, Brooklyn, NY (2019)
Race and Revolution: Race and Revolution: Still Separate-Still Unequal, Penn State, State College, PA (Jan 29th - April 6th, 2019)/ August Wilson Center, Pittsburgh, PA ( April 19th - July 21st, 2019)
Race and Revolution: Still Separate-Still Unequal, University of Connecticut-Stamford, Stamford, CT (2018)
Re: x 12, Pfizer Building, Brooklyn, NY (2017)
Race and Revolution: Still Separate-Still Unequal, Smack Mellon, Brooklyn, NY (2017)
Re: x 11, Pfizer Building, Brooklyn, NY (2017)
SVA x SKOWHEGAN, SVA Chelsea Gallery, New York, NY (2016-2017)
PRIZM Art Fair, Miami, FL (2016)
With Liberty and (in)Justice For All?, Gateway Project Spaces, Newark, NJ (2016)
To a point…, SVA MA Curatorial Practice Project Space, School of Visual Arts, New York, NY (2016)
For Sale By Owner, Hilltop Antiques, Skowhegan, ME (2016)
popular culture is where the pedagogy is, The Hole, New York, NY (2016)
Mini Bar, Material Art Fair (as part of an art and curatorial project), Mexico City, Mexico (2016)
Brooklyn Academy of Music Benefit with Beverly’s, Bridget Donahue Gallery, New York, NY (2016)
(Re)Vision, Jan Brandt Gallery, Bloomington, IL (2015)
Jumping the Line: interdisciplinary concept shop, Artiz Group, New York, NY (2015)
DO YOU FEEL?, SVA MA Curatorial Practice Project Space, School of Visual Arts, New York, NY (2015)
[RE]VISION, SVA MA Curatorial Practice Program, New York, NY (2015)

Publications

À BIENTÔT: meditations on loss in space (2021)

Selected Press

Robinson, Stacey. “The Joy, Pain, Love And Art Of Marvin Touré: The interdisciplinary artist reflects on how centuries of history meet the present in his work.” NEWSONE (2024) https://newsone.com/5452191/marvin-toure-artist/

Yost, Zara. “FABRICATION, FANTASIA, AND FLUIDITY AT THE MATTRESS FACTORY: PART 3” Petrichor Magazine (2024) https://petrichorpittsburgh.com/2024/04/10/fabrication-fantasia-and-fluidity-at-the-mattress-factory-part-3/

Press Staff. “I-Park of East Haddam marking two decades of service with multiple activities”
The Middletown Press (2021) https://www.middletownpress.com/news/article/I-Park-of-East-Haddam-marking-two-decades-of-16460971.php

Art Times “PLANET AFROPUNK” AFROPUNK (2021)

Ain’t-Bad.“marvin touré” Ain’t-Bad (2021)
https://www.aint-bad.com/issue-no-15/2021/01/19/marvin-toure/

Dunne, Susan. “‘Racism: The Other American Pandemic’ virtual exhibit at ECSU looks at presistent crisis” Hartford Courant (2020)

https://www.courant.com/ctnow/arts-theater/hc-ctnow-art-racism-exhibit-ecsu-blm-20200731-wqzad622onhxnfe3yrtqugciou-story.html

Rodney, Seph. “What Does it Mean to Exhibit ‘Black Excellence’?” HYPERALLERGIC (2020)

https://hyperallergic.com/548933/what-does-it-mean-to-exhibit-black-excellence/

Walker, Dareece. “Paranoia’s Midnight”: Interview with Marvin Touré.” LIVING LIFE FEARLESS (2019)

https://livinglifefearless.co/2019/features/paranoias-midnight-interview-with-marvin-toure/

Waltz, Amanda. “ Race and Revolution: Still Separate – Still Unequal examines educational discrimination in Pittsburgh to address a national problem.” Pittsburgh City Paper (2019)

https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/still-separate-still-unequal-examines-educational-discrimination-in-pittsburgh-to-address-a-national-problem/Content?oid=14874428

UConn Communications. “Exhibit Explores Racial Disparities in Public School System.” UConn Today (2018)

https://today.uconn.edu/2018/01/exhibit-explores-racial-disparities-public-school-system/

Cascone, Sarah. “Editors’ Picks: 8 Things to See in New York This Week.” artnet news (2017)

https://news.artnet.com/exhibitions/editors-picks-may-22-954953

Sargent, Antwaun. “A Langston Hughes Short Story Inspired a Contemporary Art Exhibition.” VICE (2016) https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/qkwyn3/langston-hughes-short-story-contemporary-exhibition

Ward, Kelvin. “MARVIN TOURÉ - BOUSSOUMANI.” THE BHOLDER (2016)

http://www.thebholdr.com/blog/2016/5/2/marvin-tour-boussoumani

SVA Features. “‘SVA x Skowhegan’ Explores the Effects of Globalization on Contemporary Art.” Visual Arts Press (2016) https://sva.edu/features/sva-x-skowhegan-explores-the-effects-of-globalization-on-contemporary-art

Meredith, Maya. “the master’s tools.” Wade in the Water (2016)

https://issuu.com/artistsagainstpoliceviolence/docs/issue_2_final_for_web

HALF (2015)

https://issuu.com/half_/docs/half01_02