Darryl J Lauster

Darryl J Lauster is a Professor in the Department of Art and Art History at The University of Texas at Arlington within the College of Liberal Arts. A New York native and 2010 recipient of the Joan Mitchell Foundation Grant for Painters and Sculptors, he is an accomplished Intermedia artist and writer with extensive national and international exhibition experience.

• Exhibited in major museums across the U.S. and internationally in Berlin, Paris, London, and Rutten
• Work in permanent collections of Philadelphia Museum of Art, McNeese State University, and Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
• Active committee member serving on Land Acknowledgement Task Force, Graduate Studies Committee, and Area Committee on Tenure and Promotion

Lauster earned his MFA from the University of Houston System in 1998 and BFA from San Diego State University in 1995, both in Studio Art and Painting/Painting and Printmaking respectively. His academic journey has positioned him as a leading figure in contemporary art education and practice.

Lauster's research centers on American history and contemporary culture with a specific focus on Haudenosaunee culture and heritage. His creative work investigates the American past and present, exploring the tensions between truth and fiction as they inform our understanding of history. His artistic practice spans sculpture, installation, performance, and writing, often intersecting with themes of cultural memory, public space, and historical interpretation. His recent work reflects a deep engagement with Indigenous perspectives and the complex narratives embedded in American landscapes and monuments.

His extensive publication record reveals a consistent exploration of cultural memory, historical interpretation, and the role of art in public discourse. His writings and creative works demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of how historical narratives shape contemporary identity and how artistic practice can intervene in dominant historical narratives. The recurring themes in his publications include the politics of public monuments, the relationship between cultural heritage and contemporary practice, and experimental approaches to narrative and representation.

• William Randolph Hearst Foundation Fellowship, American Antiquarian Society (June 2023)
• CoLA Distinguished Record of Faculty Creative Activity (April 2023)
• McDowell Center Supplemental Faculty Research Grant (March 2022)
• Joan Mitchell Foundation Grant for Painters and Sculptors (2010)
• Regents Outstanding Teaching Award (2014)
• President's Award for Excellence in Teaching (2013)

As an academic advisor, Lauster has chaired or served on numerous Master's thesis committees, guiding students through various aspects of art practice and theory. His grant activity demonstrates significant research support, including a State Funded grant 'Iah Teske Iahre' ($5,224) and multiple Faculty Research Grants from the McDowell Center for Global Studies. His service extends beyond the university through his involvement with the City of Arlington Public Art Council, American Indian Advisory Group at the Amon Carter Museum, and various national review committees.

Lauster maintains an active creative studio practice with numerous recent and upcoming exhibitions across the United States and internationally. His work 'Treaty with the Six Nations (2nd version)' is currently on display at the American Antiquarian Society through May 2025, and he has several upcoming exhibitions including 'Word Powered: Exploring Free Speech Through Art' at the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia through October 2025. His professional affiliations include full membership in the Sculptors Guild and the International Sculpture Center, reflecting his standing within the national art community.