Ken Fandell

Ken Fandell is Professor and the Michael G. and C. Jane Wilson Chair in the Arts and Humanities at Harvey Mudd College, within the Department of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts (HSA). He previously served as chair of the photography department at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, demonstrating extensive leadership and academic experience in art education.

His educational background includes a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and an MFA from the University of Illinois at Chicago, forming a strong foundation in studio art and critical theory.

Fandell’s research and artistic practice span a wide range of media, including photography, video, sculpture, drawing, collage, performance, and text-based works. His interests center on conceptual art, perception, seriality, and the interplay between nature and abstraction. He often works in series, exploring subtle variations in form, color, and context across time and space.

His recent artworks—from Drawings 2020–2024 to Palms (2024) and Sunrise Sunset (2025)—demonstrate a sustained engagement with landscape, light, geometry, and materiality, often rooted in California environments. His earlier works like Surface and Already reflect an interest in installation, light, and spatial intervention. The thematic continuity across decades highlights a deep conceptual rigor and artistic consistency.

• Tiffany Foundation Award
• Artadia Award

Fandell has taught courses such as History of Landscape Photography, Modern and Contemporary Art Practices, Photography, and Undisciplined Art, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach. While no formal students are listed, his role as a former department chair and current endowed chair suggests significant mentorship and academic leadership. There is no mention of specific grants in the text, though award recognition from Artadia—a grant-giving organization—implies past funding support.

He has participated in artist residencies in Austria, Ireland, and the United States, contributing to an international artistic presence and collaborative practice. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally in artist-run galleries and major museums, indicating broad professional engagement.