Artist Statement/ Biography

Jennifer Grimyser takes but also makes photographs. Using a camera and, when needed a scissors, she analyzes traditional, setup, and manipulated photography. All works are a single image constructed in the studio without Photoshop manipulations. This construction process involves printed photographs that are photographed, printed, then re-photographed, layering images on top of images in most cases multiple times. With a heavy graphic nature and tight cropping and flattening, photographic truth is discarded while illusion is presented. The constructed photograph bounces between the flat surface and 3D space. Authenticity and originality are questioned resulting in an altered state of presentation and documentation. It is fact and fiction, NO and YES.

She compares. She contradicts. Comedy is a pathway to understanding and Jennifer shares a delight in humor. Her practice is critical amusement, dramatic satire, or poetic laughter. Often. Again. And again. & then again… she is serious. Viewers are invited to play with these equations and comparisons. She provides visual clues to help the viewer through systems. Language is questioned and isolated, verbal sounds announced, and the concreteness of words fades blur with imagery. The word “NO”, along with symbols, and diagrams are used inside the image, and vice versa, as imagery is incorporated into the textual field. Images stand and refuse to submit to a single reading. The limits of verbal and visual expression are explored. Scenes manipulated. Wit is probed. Sentimentality questioned. WARNING: Meaning is referenced but not outright defined.

Jennifer Grimyser was born in Milwaukee, WI and received a BFA from MICA and an MFA from Hunter College. She has presented solo exhibitions at Bronx River Arts Center and Solo(s) Project House. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally in numerous group exhibitions including galleries such as Kunstverein Wolfsburg, Kunsthalle Exnergasse, Lesley Heller Workspace, Center for Emerging Visual Artists, Islip Art Museum, BRIC Rotunda Gallery, Bronx Art Space, and galleries at both Rutgers University and the Art Institute of Chicago. She was awarded studio residencies including Vermont Studio Center, Women’s Studio Workshop, and NARS Foundation. Jennifer has published two limited-edition artist books through Women’s Studio Workshop and Kayrock Screenprinting. Her work is featured in several collections including Walker Arts Center, Yale University, Rhode Island School of Design, Maryland Institute College of Art, Virginia Commonwealth University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Indiana University, Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Jennifer’s work can be found at www.jennifergrimyser.com.