SUBSCRIBE
More From CULTURED
Follow Us
COMPANY
Current IssueTHE 2025 ART + FASHION ISSUE

      

Donavon Smallwood Turned His Interest in Archaeology Into a Passion for Photography

WORDS

  • Donavon Smallwood

DATE

SHARE

Twitter
LinkedIn
Facebook
Email
  • Copy Link

Donavon-Smallwood-photographer

AGE: 30
BASED IN: New York
NOMINATED BY: Dawoud Bey

My creative philosophy is one of recording paradise. I grew up wanting to be a poet and archaeologist. Upon truly discovering photography, I realized that both of those practices can be found in image-making.

Photography allows for an (occasionally short-term) return to normative community. Image-making has allowed me to feel at home in the world. I’m less interested in what my work says about who I am and more about my milieu. I’m interested in piecing together and archiving what I believe to be worth remembering, keeping, or cherishing.

Related Stories

Related Stories

logo white
Sign up to our newsletter for the latest arts and culture updates.
More From CULTURED
COMPANY

Privacy Policy |  © CULTURED Magazine 2025

FOLLOW US

We’d Like to Come Home With You Tonight…

We’re getting ready to launch our first ever CULTURED at Home issue, packed with one-of-a-kind interiors. Pre-order your copy now and be the first to have it land at your abode.

Shop Here

You’ve almost hit your limit.

You’re approaching your limit of complementary articles. For expanded access, become a digital subscriber for less than $2 a week.

You’re approaching your limit of complementary articles. For expanded access, become a digital subscriber for less than $2 a week.

GET ACCESS. 

Already a Subscriber? Sign in Here

You’re approaching your limit of complementary articles. For expanded access, become a digital subscriber for less than $2 a week.

GET ACCESS. 

Already a Subscriber? Sign in Here

Want more in your life?

For less than the price of a cocktail, you can help independent journalism thrive.

Pop-Up-1_c

GET ACCESS.

Already a Subscriber? Sign in Here
Pop-Up-1_c

GET ACCESS.

Already a Subscriber? Sign in Here

Want more in your life?

For less than the price of a cocktail, you can help independent journalism thrive.

Pop-Up-1_c
GET ACCESS.
Already a Subscriber? Sign in Here
Pop-Up-1_c

GET ACCESS.

Already a Subscriber? Sign in Here

You’ve almost hit your limit.

You’re approaching your limit of complementary articles. For expanded access, become a digital subscriber for less than $2 a week.

You’re approaching your limit of complementary articles. For expanded access, become a digital subscriber for less than $2 a week.
GET ACCESS.
Already a Subscriber? Sign in Here
You’re approaching your limit of complementary articles. For expanded access, become a digital subscriber for less than $2 a week.

GET ACCESS.

Already a Subscriber? Sign in Here

We Have So Much More to Tell You!

This is a Critics' Table subscriber exclusive.

Join the Critics’ Table to keep reading and support independent art criticism.

GET ACCESS.

Already a Subscriber? Sign in Here

Want more in your life?

For less than the price of a cocktail, you can help independent journalism thrive.

Pop-Up-1_c

GET ACCESS.

Already a Subscriber? Sign in Here

Pop-Up-1_c

GET ACCESS.

Already a Subscriber? Sign in Here

We have so much more to tell you.

You’ve reached your limit.

Sign up for a digital subscription, starting at less than $2 a week.

GET ACCESS.

Already a Subscriber? Sign in Here

Want a seat at the table? To continue reading this article, sign up today.

Support independent criticism for $10/month (or just $110/year).

Join Here

Already a subscriber? Log in.