why does jen do what she does?

Artist Statement

I am a multi-disciplinary artist who uses my body as the direct point of experience with mundane materials, actions and spaces, elevating them to a higher level of attention. I make invisible moments visible to bring a greater appreciation to moments we often ignore. This has included creating a welcoming, public space for grief during COVID-19, logging, illustrating and growing forgotten native plants and initiating kind contact with complete strangers. I utilize drawing and mapping to document my performance actions or allow the point of interaction to be the piece itself. Rather than control my mediums and circumstances, I relinquish control and set parameters to allow my projects to dictate the outcome, not knowing what will result in the end.

By deliberately focusing on the subtleties of our behavior and environments, I enact a sensitive approach to our environment that respects the unseen and unspoken. I am interested in taking time with the world with a higher level of care and consideration and attempting to unlearn the bluntness and pragmatism which I’ve been trained in. A square inch of soil deserves as much attention as we give the most viral video trend.