ARTIST STATEMENT
Black women are scrutinized for everything — especially and specifically, our bodies. When it comes to matching the Western standard of beauty, we can’t win. However, every time we look up, others are wearing our naturally given physical characteristics like costumes that can be put on and taken off at will, or as soon as the trend dies.
I’ve thought a lot about what it means to the women who allow me to present their bodies and essence in a public space. These paintings made me realize the power and significance of seeing yourself through the eyes of another, and for a brief moment, letting go of the way you feel you are perceived by the rest of the world — allowing yourself to just be. I believe it’s easier for others to clearly see the magic in you that you cannot see in yourself.
My work explores empathy, identity, and mise-en-scène to convey human experience and meaning. Visually, I am inspired by bright colors, interiors and exteriors, retro design, soft textures, and plants.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Jennifer is a Chicago-based Visual Artist with 15 + years of experience in oil painting. She is interested in exploring empathy, identity, mise-en-scène, atmosphere, physical environment, mixed media, and photography. Jennifer starred on MTV and the Smithsonian’s docuseries, ‘The Exhibit’. She has exhibited her work at Palazzo Bembo, Venice, Italy; The Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago, IL; The Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, IL; Silos Gallery 200, Houston, TX; the Martin Gallery, Chicago, IL; and in the Sidney Larson Gallery, Columbia, MO. In 2020, Jennifer received the 35 under 35 Rising Star award from Saatchi Art. She graduated in 2011 with a BA in International Business and a minor in Visual Arts from Eckerd College. In 2010, she attended a Painting and Drawing program at the Leo Marchutz School of Fine Art in France.
© Jennifer Warren