Derek Holland, MPH, MFA is a multimedia artist and researcher currently based in Chicago, IL with roots in Maryland and Philadelphia suburbs. An observant, adaptive, and persistent soul, consistently challenging their practice to expand. Their work focuses on communicating less recognized forms of knowledge and ontologies while criticizing societal constructions, specifically Blackness, data and public health (or communal well being) across mediums ranging from painting, sculpture, film and site specific works. Derek has a background in public health research and earned a Bachelors of Science (B.S.) in Family Science from University of Maryland, College Park and a Master of Public Health (MPH) from Washington University in St. Louis and recently received their Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from University of Illinois at Chicago. Derek has supported publishing several peer reviewed articles while participating in group exhibitions and artist talks from St. Louis, MO and Chicago, IL to Philadelphia, PA.