VAL DAUGHTREY

Valen Daughtrey is an Illustrator and Contemporary artist in NYC. Valen’s work explores the human experience as a form of reportage through history and portraiture. His use of composition, texture, and color is intended to help build emotions and guide the viewer’s eye to better narrate the stories he aims to tell. Many of Val’s works incorporate augmented reality to create an immersive experience that further engages his audience.

Valen was featured in She Exist Magazine and was also recognized as a rising artist with the Bronx Brewery Up and Comers limited release. His work has been exhibited in several notable exhibitions, including; Larchmont art on the avenues, Yonkers Arts weekend, Winter Mashup at Warburton Galerie and Back To the Present, Powered by The Black Student Union at The Fashion Institute of Technology,

In his artist statement, Valen describes his work as a visual exploration of the human experience, blending historical context and portraiture to create a narrative that captures the essence of his subjects. Through his use of composition, texture, and color, Val creates an emotional journey for his viewers, guiding their eyes to better narrate the stories he aims to tell. In addition to his traditional media, many of Val's works incorporate augmented reality to create an immersive experience that further engages his audience.

Valen earned his BFA from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where he also minored in Art History and English Writing. He is currently completing an MFA in Illustration. Aside from his work as a visual artist, Val is a student advocate and educator, as a program advisor and tutor of art history in higher education at the Fashion Institute of Technology. He works directly with the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), where he provides support to young people and adults through counseling, mentorship, and student advocacy.

Valen is also a gallery assistant at the New Apostle gallery in Mount Vernon, where he helped with the build-out of the space and its first show this past summer. To see more of Val's work, visit his portfolio or follow him on Instagram.