Mary Catherine

Daley

I am an art historian based in London, studying at the Courtauld Institute of Art, where I’m completing the Graduate Diploma and preparing to pursue my MA in Art History. My interests trace the currents of 20th-century European and American Modernism, with a particular fascination for the Surrealists—especially the women who reshaped its dreamlike worlds from the margins.

Before moving to London, I began my career in New York City, where I worked on content integrations at PHD Media for global clients, including Google, Diageo, Delta, and Chanel. It was a crash course in storytelling at scale—where artistry met commerce, and precision met instinct.

This past summer, I returned to Massachusetts to work at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, balancing museology with coastal living before relocating to London. Now, my days move between the Courtauld’s gallery and the city’s museums, tracing connections between art, fashion, and contemporary culture.

I’m interested in the intersections between art, fashion, and editorial culture—worlds that all speak, in their own ways, to beauty, identity, and desire. Eventually, I hope to work within a museum or publication that lives at that crossroads—somewhere between the textile archives of the V&A and the pages of British Vogue.

My passion stems from the contextualization of life’s priorities and perspective that loss and life have given me, instilling a keen determination to honor the authenticity and beauty of the human experience as told through art.

London, UK

Meet Mary -

  • London-based, inspired globally.

  • Before shifting my focus to museums and curation, I built a career crafting impactful brand narratives on a global scale.

    From leading dynamic activations for Bumble—partnering with cultural icons like David Dobrik and The Chainsmokers—to shaping immersive brand experiences, including a Smirnoff collaboration with Ty Dolla $ign at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards, my background in advertising honed my ability to tell compelling stories, engage audiences, and bring creative visions to life.

  • As I prepare to transition into the curatorial field, my focus is on exploring the intersection of art history, modernism, and design. With a deep passion for the contributions of female Surrealists and a growing interest in European and American Modernism, I aim to curate exhibitions that highlight the richness of these movements. I'm committed to publishing my research and pursuing a PhD, ultimately teaching and sharing my love for art history at the university level. This journey is driven by my ambition to contribute to the academic and curatorial landscape while continuously expanding my understanding of art and culture.

  • Outside of my professional work, I draw inspiration from design, travel, and antiquing. Whether I’m collecting vintage treasures, exploring new cultures, or uncovering the artistic roots of cities, my personal interests feed into my professional practice. My travels shape how I see art, history, and design. From the rustic charm of local markets to the grand museums of the world, these experiences keep me grounded and creatively inspired. I aim to bring these influences into my curatorial work, drawing on both the historical and contemporary to inspire fresh perspectives.