Cali Banks

Department of Film and Media Arts

Instructor, Art Photography

Cali Banks

Shaffer Art Building
Syracuse, NY 13244



Born and raised in Syracuse, New York, Cali M. Banks is an interdisciplinary artist of Munsee Lenape and Scottish descent. She holds an M.F.A. in interdisciplinary media arts practices from the University of Colorado Boulder and a B.A. in art and technology and global health studies from Allegheny College.

Her artistic practice reclaims identity through performative photography. Her work explores the ideas of public versus private narratives and the expansion of narrow, flattened definitions of indigenous art. Her work can be described as raw, often creating a visceral response in the audience. This allows viewers to confront their own viewpoints on women’s bodies and relates to notions of what can be considered graphic. 

In recent times, she has exhibited work at Art Basel Miami, Every Woman Biennial London, RedLine Contemporary Art Center, Tiger Strikes Asteroid Philadelphia, Atlanta Film Festival and Anthology Film Archives. She is also a featured artist in issues no. 24, 26 and 38 of The Hand Magazine and has been published on Lomography and Lenscratch.

Education

  • M.F.A., University of Colorado Boulder
  • B.A., Allegheny College