Diana Salomon '25
MFA Studio Art

On Stony Brook:
I was recommended to the MFA program by my former professor and mentor Gregory Sholette, who knew Professor Stephanie Dinkins well. He believed that working with faculty like her and being part of the program’s interdisciplinary environment would be a strong fit for the kind of research-driven, experimental work I was pursuing.

As a mother of four and a working artist exploring photography, identity, and memory, it was important for me to find a program that supported both my creative development and my life responsibilities. Stony Brook’s MFA offered the right balance -- rigorous, research-based practice, thoughtful faculty mentorship, and proximity to my home, which made pursuing graduate studies logistically and emotionally possible.

On her major:
I chose this path to deepen my understanding of visual culture and to explore how family photographs, archives, and generational narratives shape identity.

Favorite class:
Two courses stand out. The performance seminar challenged me to move beyond still photography and experiment with sound and audience interaction—something I had never done before. While it didn’t become central to my thesis, it helped me think differently about how my work could engage viewers physically and emotionally. More recently, the In Process course, structured like an artist residency, was exactly what I needed while completing my thesis. It gave me space to explore a new idea I’d been contemplating around identity and assimilation, and the experience of exhibiting in-progress work led to valuable feedback. That work has since evolved into a new direction. I plan to continue developing post-graduation.

Interests and accomplishments:
My practice centers on constructing personal and familial history through photography, video, and installation. My solo exhibition, Do They Look Like Me?, and thesis show exhibition Constructing A Past examined the absence of family photographs in my upbringing and how reenacting or recontextualizing those images can reclaim memory. I’ve received several honors, including the Dorothy Pieper Purchase Prize and The Goldberger Fellowship Award, and my work has been exhibited across the SUNY system and featured in the Brookhaven Messenger and other publications.

Plans for post-graduation:
I plan to continue developing my studio practice while applying to fellowships and residencies that support interdisciplinary work rooted in memory and identity. I also love teaching photography and hope to expand my teaching portfoli -- particularly through courses in portraiture that bridge narrative storytelling, personal history, and the evolving language of the photographic image.

Favorite SBU memory:
What I’ll remember most are the honest, vulnerable moments during critiques—when ideas sharpened, voices were heard, and generous feedback opened new paths. Just as memorable are the personal relationships and supportive connections I’ve built with peers and faculty—those bonds have been just as formative as the work itself.

Advice for future Seawolves:
Don’t be afraid to explore deeply personal topics in your work. Your story matters—and this community will support you in finding your voice.

Parting thoughts:
As a mother of four pursuing an MFA, I hope my story reminds others that it’s never too late to reclaim your narrative. Art can be both personal and communal, and I’m grateful for the space Stony Brook gave me to grow as both an artist and a mother.

website www.dianasalomon.com