Danelle Manthey is a photographer living in New York City and Upstate New York by way of South Dakota. Her work investigates the complexities of identity, with a focus on recognizing the creativity and artistry of the “Everyman.” After attending Columbia College Chicago’s photography program, Manthey embarked on her first large-scale project in 2003 titled American Christmas, which explores Christmas displays across the country and the people behind them. In 2005, she was awarded Chashama’s artist in residency program in New York, which resulted in a solo exhibition of her work and, in 2008, she began where do I start, where do I begin, a haunting series that uses a child-sized mannequin to investigate defamiliarization, identity and childhood. In 2010, American Christmas was exhibited in a solo exhibition at Jenkins Johnson Gallery in New York City. She returned to Jenkins Johnson Gallery in 2011 for a group show and in November of the same year, exhibited her series The Others—developed during her 2010 residency with Chashama—in a two-person show at Susan Eley Fine Art. Manthey has participated in multiple art fairs, including Governors Island Art Fair, PULSE Art Fair New York and Pool Art Fair New York and has exhibited in galleries across New York City; Chicago; Washington, D.C. and beyond.
About American Christmas Over the course of a decade, Manthey photographed, interviewed and spent time with the creators of these displays, quickly coming to recognize them as folk artists. Entirely self-taught, the creators often do not view themselves as artists, yet create site-specific installations that should be recognized for their transcendent, highly skilled craft.
Many of the selected displays feature region-specific motifs as well as handmade decorations. This tendency, coupled with the traditional imagery and decorative nature of the displays, situates the work as a form of contemporary American folk art.
Along with making these themes accessible to a non-art audience, documenting these displays and stories offers readers a moment of solace and joy—something that is greatly needed in our current world. As explained in the book’s foreword by Rebecca Alban Hoffberger, Founder and Director of the American Visionary Art Museum: “All over the world, the single most common theme of visionary artists who create an artistic environment is some Eden-esque Utopia, and Christmas...has been at the top of the American concept of earthly paradise.
Text: Marlene Friis is a doctoral student in Aging Studies at Tulane University’s School of Medicine in New Orleans. She has a background in film studies and psycholinguistics and appreciates a good story told well in any format. She lives where it rarely snows with her fierce family and all things bright and beautiful. You can say hello on Twitter or Instagram @BrainFriis
Book Design: Charlene Benson has had a long career in magazine publishing, fashion retail and brand marketing. Award winning graphic design and telling stories with words and pictures are at the heart of it all. After seeing the American Christmas photo series one spring day in the West Village she became enchanted and had to get involved. Currently living and working in Brooklyn NY.
To view more of Manthey’s work please visit mantheyphoto.com
For print sales please email Susan Eley Fine Art
susie@susaneleyfineart.com
For press inquiries please email : Olu & Company
Jacqueline WayneGuite jacqueline@olucompany.com
