*A selected preview of paintings from this new series*
"In her most recent series Jen explores ideas that are more existential and spiritual in nature, focusing on soul. Mann draws on the existential blanket theory that everything is the same. The white on white technique unfeignedly illustrates this concept and helps us visualize her view of something entirely intangible - the aspects of soul. The translucence, and use of negative space along with light use of colour is reminiscent of a memory. Mann captures the essence of a feeling, or a thought, where images are floating and blending with the background. The subjects merge with each other and the loose and painterly background peeks through letting the white space become the focus. Mann says she was inspired by the Celtic rune stone "Oden" (the blank stone) which stands for limitless possibilities, and at the same time, embodies nothingness."
*A selected preview of paintings from this new series*
"This new series of works explores color and texture, and the deterioration or disintegration of images into an abyss. Working in layers and exhibiting much more freedom in her brushstrokes, these emotional and spontaneous paintings are a great departure from Mann's past works."
"In this series of paintings, Mann explores the toxic qualities of beauty in relation to ideals of femininity. Jen uses the juxtaposition of toxic flowers intertwined with women to make a statement about the destructive nature of vanity and outward appearances. The flowers are also a clever play on ideas of feminine fragility and virginity. The 'poisoned' or 'dead' arms, bring a more serious undertone to the very 'beautiful' looking paintings. The distant and confrontational gaze of the women addresses the viewer, leaving them with a haunting feeling."
In this series of twenty-three paintings entitled "Subconscious Vista" Jen explores themes of nature, spiritualism, fantasy and discovery. A strong narrative carries throughout the series as dream worlds unravel, with each character representing their own tale. These heroes are paired with crystals, flowers and bird spirit guides to cross into landscapes of the subconscious, which are consumed with magic and cosmic power.
In her first series of oil paintings, Jen has addressed our relationship to animals, and our wilder instinctive side. Using the term "Fera", which is the Latin origin of the word "Feral" to title the series, Mann sets the tone for the collection. Juxtaposing wild animals with women, Jen is commenting on the passionate, raw and wild nature of humans. By blending the women together with the animal until one is no longer separate from the other, Mann creates a dreamlike image where one's inner animal spirit or totem can escape from the human form, and exist freely on the canvas.
From her sketches, Jen has developed a style of digital collage using her illustrations. By scanning in her drawings and layering them in Photoshop, she creates delightful translucent images, with compositions that merge together animals, feathers, flowers and breath-taking women. These little treasures are paired with short poems that send the viewer into a fantastical world she has imagined for us to escape the tedious "every day".
All of the work in this section was created while Jen was completing her undergrad in printmaking at OCAD U. These are all 20"x20" copper plate etchings, printed using chincollee with japanese paper on somerset 300gsm cotton rag paper. edition sizes range from 1 to 3 pulls per plate.
Jen is always available for commissions. To talk about different possibilities and options email jen@jenmann.com Pricing ranges based on size and complexity from 400 - 2500. Illustrations range from 100 - 500
Jen Mann is a Canadian artist living just outside of Toronto. She attended OCAD U from 2005-2009, receiving her BFA in printmaking. Since then she has focused on painting and developed a large body of work, which explores the subconscious, and focuses on ideas of freedom, perceived beauty, identity and home. Jen loves to garden, cook and watch movies in her free time.
CONTACT:
For inquiries regarding future shows the acquisition of art,
or contacting the artist for interviews or features,
use the following contact information
Jen Mann - 416 414 3836
jen@jenmann.com
EDUCATION
BFA - OCAD U- 2009
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
UPCOMING SHOWS:
MILK - fine grime - Bath U.K. - Nov, 2012
Glass, Cinder & Thorns - 232 East Gallery - USA- Nov 2012
Animal in Me - Subtext Gallery - San Diego USA - Feb 2013
SOLO SHOWS:
Subconscious Vista - Gallery 1313, Toronto, Sept 2011
SELECT GROUP SHOWS:
Highly Contageous - Gallery Hijinks, San Francisco Sept 2010
Rogue Space | Chelsea, NY, NY, USA - May 2010
Nature Noir - Mahan Gallery, Columbus OH, US,A March 2010
Alice in Wonderland - Canteen Gallery - Ottawa, March 2010
Art for Chilled Hearts - Whippersnapper Gallery-, Feb 2010
OCAD + - Annual Thesis Show, OCAD, May 2009
Prints Are Like That – Gallery 1313, Toronto, April 2009
Summer Solstice - Whippersnapper Gallery, Toronto, July 2008
Blowjobs over Baltimore - Our Space Loft, Toronto, July 2008
Sleep is for dead ppl- Whippersnapper Gallery, May 2008
AWARDS:
2nd year award for studio excellence - Printmaking - OCAD - '07
Firefly Book Award - Printmaking - OCAD - '07
Duncan Macpherson Award - Drawing & Painting OCAD '08
Sharon Mekur MemorialAward-3rd year Printmaking OCAD '08
Best Print in Show – OCAD Annual Juried Figure show '09
Curries Art Store Prize- Printmaking 4th year – OCAD '09
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Printed Matter:
Working Class Magazine - The Girls Issue 2012- Brooklyn NY
3petitspoints Magazine - Issue 7 - September 2011 - Paris
Mississauga News - Wednesday September 14 2011 - Canada
X/I/I - Ten words and one shot - Volume 1 - 2011 - Germany
Limelight Magazine - Issue 4 - 2011 - Canada
Konekt Magazine - Issues 1-3 - 2009-2010 - Canada
EGS press - POIESIS magazine - Issue 10 - August 2010- Canada
Select Web Based Features and Interviews:
Beautiful Decay - 2009 & 2011
Juxtapose - 2011
HiFructose - 2011
The Block Magazine - Interview - 2011
Colossal - 2011
Booooooom - 2010 & 2011
My Modern Metropolis - 2010 & 2011
Day Dream Lily - 2011
Grae Magazine - 2011 - Interview
SCG-NY - 2010 & 2011
Plaid Magazine - 2011 - Interview
Domestic Etch Magazine - 2011
Hey Mammoth Blog - 2011
My Love for You - 2010 & 2010
Ten words and one shot - 2010
Blu Magazine - 2011 - Interview
Mara Hoffman - 2010
Gallery Hijinks Blog - 2010 - Interview
Free People Blog - 2011
Vixxxen Blog - 2011 - Interview
Trend Hunter - 2011 (x2)
Video / TV, Publicity:
Rogers Daytime - September 15 2011
Artist Studio Feature - Second Vie- 2012
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