DANNY HOUK
Bio
I craft re-imagined everyday objects, opening up a fresh dialogue between our closely held beliefs and alternative perspectives that may be hiding in plain sight. At first silly or profane, each artwork becomes a trojan horse for curiosity and compassion, exposing personal vulnerabilities and encouraging a more inclusive, collaborative view of the world.
My art aims to confront forces that threaten human flourishing, especially injustice, white Christian nationalism, and their impact on children. I’m not interested in furthering the divide between political or religious affiliations. Rather, I’m offering a handmade, punchy, graphical spin on the quotidian to reflect on what unites us.
Curriculum Vitae
Exhibitions
2024 “Making Our History” group exhibition, NIU Art Museum, DeKalb, IL
“Annual Juried SIUE Student Exhibition” Art and Design West Gallery,
Edwardsville, IL
2023 “Off the Block” Foundry Art Centre, St. Charles, MO
“Sk8 Show” Vacancy Gallery, St. Louis, MO
“Annual Juried SIUE Student Exhibition” Art and Design West Gallery,
Edwardsville, IL
2022 “The Art of Whimsy” Soulard Art Gallery, St. Louis, IL
“Small Works Art Competition” Wood River City Museum, Wood River, IL
“Making Our History: Artists Render Lincoln's Legacies” group exhibition,
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, Springfield, IL
“Shrode Fine Art and Craft Competition Exhibition” Shrode Art Center, Mt. Vernon, IL
“November Group Art Show” Jones Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2019 “Small Press Expo” comics vendor, St. Louis Public Library, St. Louis, MO
2017 “Comics Central” comics vendor, St. Louis Public Library, St. Louis, MO
“River Des Press Expo” comics vendor, South Broadway Athletic Club, De Peres, MO
2016 “Mini Comic-Con” comics vendor, St. Louis Public Library, St. Louis, MO
2014 “33March” group exhibition, The Old Orchard Gallery, Webster Groves, MO
2009 “Reanimate Energy” group exhibition, Del Paso Works Gallery, Sacramento, CA
“Radiant Energy” group exhibition, Del Paso Works Gallery, Sacramento, CA
2008 “Refuse” group exhibition, Luminary Center for the Arts, St. Louis, MO
2007 “Consternation” senior exhibition, UC Davis Basement Gallery, Davis, CA
Group exhibition, UC Davis Basement Gallery, Davis, CA
Group exhibition, First Covenant Church, Sacramento, CA
2006 Group exhibition, UC Davis Basement Gallery, Davis, CA
"Better Together" group exhibition, First Covenant Church, Sacramento, CA
2005 Group exhibition, the 1050 Loft, Sacramento, CA
Solo exhibition, First Covenant Church, Sacramento, CA
2003 Juried student show, Sierra College, Rocklin, CA
2000 Juried student show, Sierra College, Rocklin, CA
In the Media
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Interview on CanvasRebel
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Podcast appearance on Monster in the Mirror episode “Facing the Mirror”
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Short film on “Making Our History: Artists Render Lincoln's Legacies” UIS virtual residency
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Featured artist in “After That!” quarterly comics zine (August and July 2021)
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Regular contributor to comics section of Gesso Magazine (2019 - 2021)
Awards and Education
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2024 - Painting and Drawing Association Award
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2023 - William Justin Brown Memorial Award in Sculpture (SIUE Juried Exhibition)
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2022 - MFA from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (expected graduation June 2025)
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2007 - AB, Studio Art from UC Davis
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2003 - Outstanding Student in 3D Art, Sierra College
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2003 - "Best in Show" and "Sierra Pine Award," juried student show, Sierra College