Working out a piece....

Sketching out a final version of this piece. Coming soon!

Going to Notre Dame of Maryland University

Birth and Affliction will be part of the show, "Parallax" at Gormley Gallery at Notre Dame of Maryland University. The exhibition opens February 4 and runs through March 15th. 

The opening reception is on Saturday, February 9 from 4 to 6 pm.

Curator, Martha Madigan will give a gallery talk on Monday, March 4 at noon. 

Gormley Gallery, Notre Dame of Maryland University
4701 N. Charles St, Baltimore, MD

 

In-Sync Interview with Sergio Gomez

Sergio Gomez, artist, Owner/Director of 33 Contemporary Gallery, Curator/ Director of Exhibitions at the Zhou B. Art Center and my friend, recently interviewed me for his new blog series, In-Sync.

You can find my interview as well as other wonderful Chicago artist interviews at his blog, Sergio Gomez: All Things Creative.

Fun in the Fog...

Working and revisiting the past...

I'm working on another series - check out the images below. It's a work in progress. Process is a big thing for me....sketch, shoot, rework and shoot again. On to my second shoot for this project!

copyright, Jennifer Moore, 2012

copyright, Jennifer Moore, 2012

And I've been revisiting a few old shoots...

copyright, Jennifer Moore, 2012

Currently....

I am currently working on a new series that will be part of the invitational show, "Motion to Stillness," curated by Sergio Gomez and Didi Menéndez in February 2013.

Presented at the Zhou B Art Center and published by PoetsArtists Magazine. February 15 - March 10, 2013.

Minneapolis Photo Center Exhibition

Untitled (with Deer Skulls) will be on display at the MinneapolisPhoto Center in the exhibition, The Human Condition: A Survey of Humanity. The show opens Saturday November 10th 2012 and is on exhibit November 10th, 2012 through January 4th, 2013.

The show is juried by Annie Griffiths-Belt, National Geographic Photographer and Founder and Executive Director of the Ripple Effects Foundation.

Untitled(with Deer Skulls) is part of a larger series of work, Surrealscapes which examines the degradation of woman through the use of dramatic narrative and surrealistic imagery offering a grim outtake on the paths women are faced to choose. For a comprehensive view of work in progress for this series, visit my website.

Join me for a workshop in New Mexico

I will be hosting a workshop at Dona Ana College in Las Cruses, NM April 5-6, 2013. Space is limited. Contact Paul Shranz for more information or feel free to email me. 

This is a workshop designed to help participants tap into their own personal experiences to create a more defined dramatic narrative in their photography. Its purpose it also to demonstrate how incredibly informative the process of self-portraiture can be. Using yourself as a model to tell a story makes your imagery even more personal and allows you to participate directly with your space and your image. 

Chances are you’re not the only person experiencing your story; this workshop will demonstrate how your personal experiences can be viewed and interpreted on a larger scale to evoke social or political change, to create a voice through imagery, to create drama and tension, and to tell a story in one single image.

This workshop emphasizes techniques that allow you to create dramatic narrative photography through the use of simplistic set-ups, props and symbolism, natural and artificial light and Photoshop skills.

Exhibition Updates

This has been a busy week of preparing for several exhibitions: Flying House collaboration, Woman Made Gallery's exhibition, "Inspired By," Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts Exhibition, "Diversity," Art Space's "Synergy" exhibition in Vienna, Austria and Flow Art Space's exhibition, "Passages, Pathways and Portals" (information for all shows listed below.) Please plan to attend one or all! of the exhibitions.

As always, check out more of me here. 


Passages, Pathways and Portals
Flow Art Space
13th Avenue NE
Minneapolis MN
Exhibition Dates: Aug 8-25
Opening: Thursday, August 9

Inspired By
Woman Made Gallery
685 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL
Exhibition Dates: August 24 - September 27, 2012
Opening: Friday, August 24

Flying House 2012
Maes Gallery 
167 North Racine, Suite 1 
Chicago, IL
Opening: Saturday, August 25
 
Synergy
Art Space 191 
Vienna, Austria  
Opening: September 12 

Diversity
Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts  
New York 28  Blue Mountain Lake, NY
Exhibition Dates: August 31st - September 29th, 2012 

I love good news!

I've been working diligently on another project which is an extension of "Creatures" - images will be posted soon!

But I'd love to share some wonderful news...

I have been invited by photographer and professor, Paul Shranz to Dona Ana College in Las Cruces, NM to host a workshop. Dates and workshop description to follow - but I'll give you a hint - the workshop will be held in the spring and will involve instruction on theatrical narrative photographic work.

Also, I am happy to report that my work, Blasphemy Rules the World in White Dresses was blogged about by BAS-relief. (Read the entry, curtsey of http://brophyarts.blogspot.com/ below or visit the blog which includes wonderful write ups about local Chicago artists.)

Fear Not That Which Watches You

Blasphemy Rules the World in White Dresses Jennifer Moore
Photo courtesy of http://www.jmooreart.blogspot.com/

I am seeing the trend in photography selections, fear not, it will not last.  This artists however bears mention.  On my first adventure to the Zhou B Art Center I was overwhelmed by the abundane of art on display.  A bit chaotic, the gallery was filled with scultptures, paintings, photographs, and onlookers.

I entered the first exhibit, FACEMASK the 8th Annual National Self-Portrait exhibition, curated by Sergio Gomez.  I wasn't sure what I was walking into, but I was arrested by this digital print by Jennifer Moore, Blasphemy Rules the World in White Dresses.  The print is luminous, with an ethereal glow exuding from the white clad figure.  A soft focus on the edges brings the work into a beautiful dream-like state.  While many may find the piece haunting, the woman behind the skull, there is something very serene about the work in person.

I continued my stroll through the warehouse, walking into numerous spaces, but this work by Moore is one that has followed me into my work week beyond the gallery openings.

Moore is a local, Chicago digital artist, featured in numerous gallery exhibitions throughout Chicagoland.  To see more work by Moore visit her site and her blog.

More Shows! International and National!

I am happy to announce that three of my pieces were selected for an exhibition in the show, Diversity at Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts in New York. Opening TBA. 

I am also fortunate enough to be participating in the show Synergy curated by Sergio Gomez at Artspace 191 in Vienna, Austria. Show dates, September - October 2012. Opening reception September 13th.

Another Great Shoot!

Images taken for collaboration with CD Mitchell (for Flying House and a future project).

Edits in progress!

As always, visit me here to see a comprehensive portfolio!

Flying House Collaboration in Progress!

Check out the progress on my Flying House collaboration so far. More shoots and edits to come...
 

'There She Goes Again, Unnatural Annihilation' was accepted for the “Inspired By... Celebrating Illinois Women Artists and Artisans” group exhibition, scheduled for August 24 to September 27, 2012 at Woman Made Gallery. Opening reception Friday, August 24, 6-9p

Woman Made Gallery

685. N. Milwaukee Ave.

Chicago, IL 60642

www.womanmade.org

Join me Friday, June 15, 7-10pm at the Zhou B Art Center in Chicago (1029 W. 35th St.) for the opening of Facemask, the 8th annual Self Portrait Exhibition curated by Sergio Gomez. 

Blasphemy Rules the World in White Dresses will be on display in the exhibit. 

Self Portrait with Past will be on display at Flow Art Space in Minneapolis, MN. Show runs August 8 - August 25. Opening reception, Thursday, August 9, 6-9pm

Flow Art Space

34 13th Ave NE, Suite B002B

Minneapolis, MN 55413

 

Self Portrait with Past is part of a series of images that was inspired, in part, by photographer, Anne Brigman, whose images explored the idea of ecofeminism. Brigman’s work, which was unconventional for the time (1890’s), depicted nude women as mother earth or fairy-like creatures dramatically posed in a natural landscape. Brigman’s work suggested bohemianism and female liberation and was heavily influenced by the connection between women and the earth. It was Brigman’s sole concern to depict the oneness of woman and nature.

Very much like Brigman, my images do play on the connection between women and the earth. But, while Brigman’s images depicted a mythological or dream-like fairytale in a hopeful manner, my work examines the darker side that the devaluation of women and nature produce. My work chooses to face the issue of duel degradation head-on, offering viewers a darker twist of past, present and future.

My work, Blasphemy Rules the World in White Dresses will be showing in the 8th Annual Self Portrait Exhibit at the Zhou B. Art Center in Chicago. The exhibit, is curated by Sergio Gomez of 33 Contemporary Gallery and runs June 15 - August 11, 2011. Opening reception: June 15.

Flying House in Progress

I have been shooting and reworking shots for the Flying House project I am working on with CD Mitchell (show and publication to come in August 2012). Collaboration is going beautifully! CD's story centers around Clovis, a Pentecostal,  hoofed-foot, schizophrenic born of an incestual relationship. He experiences what he believes to be the Rapture...but alas...it is only Clovis hallucinating!

The dark tale gives me much to work with, but I am nowhere close to finished! Images shown below are not the finals...at least not yet. There is much, much more editing, reworking, and setting up to do!

Stay tuned for more updates!

Text under my images are excerpts from CD Mitchell's story, The Cloven Hoof

His mother knew she would name her son Clovis, after her father’s brother, the fire and brimstone full-gospel preacher who later plead guilty to statutory rape and incest for their affair.

The exorcism seemed to work. Clovis no longer heard the voices from inside his head. The demons had been cast out and now walked along with him, beside him, behind him, everywhere he went, taunting and tormenting him.  They even included the bloodied, torn images of Benny Rice and Sammy Jones.

NEW LOCATIONS

I have scouted out new locations, and more elaborate set-ups. Images below are from an abandon mental hospital in Illinois. Set-ups and new shoots at this location will take place in the next month.

Jennifer Moore, 2012

Jennifer Moore, 2012

Jennifer Moore, 2012

Solo Show Closes

My solo show, Parts of the Whole at the Photo Four Gallery located inside South Suburban College closed today. The show included a mix of pieces from a few bodies of work from 2005 - present. See images below (excuse the camera phone pics! I forgot to bring my real camera to the closing!)

 

Flying House!

I am more than thrilled to say that I have been chosen to  participate in Flying House 2012,  an annual collaboration project that kicks off each Spring with the announcement of five artist-writer pairs.Once the pairs are chosen, the collaborative projects begin. When the work is completed, there is a show, a reading and last but not least, an anthology for all of our lovely sponsors, friends, family, and participants to enjoy. The books are on sale online through the Flying House website, at the show, and hopefully soon, at independent bookstores around Chicago. 

I have been paired with CD Mitchell, who has a long list of publications, including "This, too, is Vanity" and "Stud Fee." He also has a laundry-list of life-time experience ranging from defense attorney to professional boxer.


His Flying House Bio is listed below: 

CD Mitchell’s stories are at once realist, and insanely far-fetched. His submission, God’s Naked Will, centers around a southern preacher heading north in search of a solution to his problem (he’s a virgin and needs a woman––unknown to his parish––to remedy his virgin situation), and at the same time it’s a story of entrapment––by God, and by a sly prostitute named Delilah. CD turns the table of expectations in a Flannery O’Connor sort of way, which makes for nice surprises. 

CD has a large list of publications to his name, as well as Pushcart nominations. He holds an MFA with concentrations in fiction and creative nonfiction, and currently teaches at Middle Tennessee State University. As he puts it, “I was a boxer, attorney, carpenter, fry cook, daddy, and an ex-husband four times. But I have never been a best man.”



My Flying House Bio is listed below. Pretty cool.  And, as always, check me out here.


Jennifer Moore is currently a professor of photography at the Illinois Institute of Art, Chicago.
Her themes draw on personal experiences rooted in relationships, family, birth, death, sexuality, gender roles and religion. She explores the commonalities inherent in these themes through photography and digital art, hoping to better understand humanity, motherhood and womanhood. More often than not, she incorporates text directly into her work.

Jennifer earned both a Bachelor of Arts degree (2002) and a Master in Arts degree (2005) from Governors State University. Her award-winning photography has been shown in exhibitions all across Illinois, and very soon in the Regional Museum of Natural Science in Turin, Italy.

All Ready for Italy!

Matted, framed and packaged! All ready for the show in Tourin, Italy.

Unnatural Annihilation, 2012

You eat the earth without regret, without regard for her. You treat her as one would treat a cheating lover. Forget her beauty. Forget her graciousness. Forget her ability to give selflessly. Forget her.  Use her like she will be there forever. Use her like she means nothing. Use her like she is a whore. Use her. Abuse her. Consume her without regret. No need to reach for her. She submits. She takes your abuse. Sometimes it looks like she enjoys it. You assume she will always be there. You assume she’s yours alone. You assume she cannot fight back. You mistake her calm for weakness. But one day you will feel her wrath. You will feel how wrong you were. You will feel regret. You will feel shame. You will feel like the whore.

-Jennifer Moore

Perfection. Period.

Keeping progress...

One week ago Monday, I shot a model at a very beautiful location. I'm in the middle of editing those images possibly to use for the ART, ENERGY, FUTURE exhibit in Turin, Italy. I'm in the middle of editing 2 very different types of shots/images. Here's one...

There She Becomes
Trapped in a sea of broken parts, she wants freedom. Freedom is such a difficult thing. She is torn between becoming a slave to her ideals and her expectations.

 

There She Goes Again

Trapped in a sea of broken parts, she allows herself to be pinned down. “No, stop. Don’t pin me,” she utters. But secretly she wants to be pinned, to have decisions made for her. Make my decisions, but I will blame you for making them.

When I'm interested in clearing my head and letting creativity flow, I run. Since it's been relatively warm in Chicago this week, I've taken my runs outdoors where I can let my mind wander.

Original Sin

I'm working on a new series, Original Sin, A Necessary Evil. The subject matter is slightly grotesque: animal parts, but the theme is centered around Christian theological doctrine (of which I am not an expert, but am researching!)

A Necessary Evil

According to St. Thomas, evil is a privation of form or order or due measure. The existence of evil began when Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of Knowledge against God’s wishes. From that point forward, men were born with Original Sin. Christian theological doctrine states that Original Sin is humanity’s state of sin resulting from the fall of man when Adam and Eve ate that fateful fruit. 

Prior to Adam and Eve eating from the Tree of Knowledge, they knew no pain. They lived in a beautiful, lush garden, had plenty of food to eat and lived a pain-free life without death. So why did they choose to eat the fruit that God had forbidden them to? As God made us intelligent, inquisitive beings capable of thought, wasn’t it just a matter of time before Adam and Eve disobeyed Him?

Without evil, would we know that good existed? I am interested in exploring the idea of good and evil coexisting. I am interested in exploiting the contrast between good and evil through their coexistence. Without evil, perhaps good would cease to remain good. Perhaps evil is as necessary as good. 

-Jennifer Moore

Art, Energy, Future

I have the unique opportunity to show in Turin, Italy at the Regional Museum of Natural Science, May 24 - July 1, 2012

Consider checking out the video that our curator, Sergio Gomez has put together for this exhibit, Art, Energy, Future!

Solo Exhibiton Coming Soon!

Wonderful and exciting news is in the works...

The amazing Sergio Gomez has given me the opportunity for a solo exhibition at Christopher Art Gallery in Chicago Heights in March.


Parts of the Whole will be a collection of about 30 photographs and digital prints. Included in the exhibit will be some of my newest work. I will post details soon!

Transcendental Abyss, 2011 Copyright, Jennifer Moore

15th International Open @ Woman Made Gallery

I am delighted to say that I am one of the 31 artists chosen to show at Woman Made's 15th International Art Open. 


Linda Warren juryed entries for the "15th International Open" exhibition on display from March 2 to April 26, 2012 at Woman Made Gallery 685 North Milwakee Aveune, Chicago. After reviewing 750 artworks, she selected 33 pieces by 31 artists.

I am honored to show among so many talented artists...

Karen Appleton, Patti Bartelstein, Angelique Brickner, Cat Del Buono, Catherin Colaw, Renee Couture, Pat Dumas-Hudecki, Sebrina Fassbender, Alexandra Fritz, Amanda Greive, Amy Guidry, Zoe Hawk, Edith Hillinger, Ellen Holtzblatt, Aran Illingworth, Pamela Johnson, Kay Knight, Mie Kongo, Sioban Lombardi, Jennifer Moore, Anna Pamasa, Silvana LaCreta Ravena, Janet Roberts, Clare Rosean, Sausan Saulat, Carrie Schumacher, Soo Shin, Beverly Y. Smith, Allison Svoboda, Camille Swift, and Susan Smith Trees.

Exhibition Dates: March 2 to April 26, 2012
Opening Reception: March 2, 2012  6-9pm 

Copyright Jennifer Moore, 2011

Transcendental Parts of the Whole

You're dying. You're sinking slowly into an abyss. The abyss consumes you - eats you alive. You feel it creeping up your spine, but before you notice that it has become one with you - like a parasite - it feeds from your dying body. It suffocates you. You can't breath. The next thing you know, you're gone, poof - vanished clean off the face of the earth.

You Are Beautiful @ Curved Wall Gallery

In April I will have the opportunity to be part of the installation You Are Beautiful at Curved Wall Gallery.

You Are Beautiful is an installation that will feature the work of 15 artists who will explore how the media is defining our society and who we should be. Each artist was assigned a letter to spell out the words "You Are Beautiful." I was assigned the letter U.

If you've visited my website or followed my work, you'll know I have a strong affection for such themes. In the past, I have explored themes associated with stereotypical female gender roles. While the theme is nothing new to me, the treatment of the work will be. Typically, I have approached these topics in a tongue-and-cheek manner. I've managed to use comedy and sarcasm to make my point.

Not this time.

The goal in creating my letter U will be to challenge myself to approach the subject in an entirely new light.

My mother has accused me of creating art that isn't easily digestible. (She has a point – my themes include mortality, death and religion.) She has argued that the "weight" of my topics make it difficult to see the beauty in my work. But that isn't the point. I want to create a purely beautiful piece this time. Something that will make my mother proud (not blush this time!). I'm considering this a personal challenge.

Beauty isn't the only goal here. I want to embody all the lessons I've tried to teach my daughters...beauty isn't what is on the outside, it's what is on the inside.


Please feel free to leave a comment on this topic. Tell me your definition of beautiful. How does it differ from the main stream media? Or feel free to "like" me on Facebook and leave a message there. I'm interested in including your thoughts with my piece.

During the opening on April 20th, 2012 everyone who is attending will be invited to continue with the installation that night in creating their own message and hanging it alongside my work.