Artist Jennie Mosher Kimbrough will present “Lov(ed)” at Steckline Gallery for the Feb. 22 Final Friday show 5 to 7 p.m. at Newman University. The event is free and open to the public.
Lov(ed) is a series of 24″ x 24″ acrylic portrait paintings on birch panel.
“Each portrait is painted of an individual just as they are,” Kimbrough said. “No pose, no background, just them. Their beauty is held in who they are, and in the humanity that connects them all. This series of paintings is made to fill the space available with faces. Individuals becoming a collective, a community, an expression of what love looks like. “
The artist statement for the show reads, “Today’s society has many pictures of love. Be it the fairy-tale romance, the gratification of social media popularity or our focus on physical beauty, mainstream society shows us an unattainable definition of who is loved and how love feels. Love is not that, but more. Each person, no matter their outside appearance, socioeconomic status, place of residence, race, age or religion, is created to be
“These paintings are not about dividing us into categories, be it political affiliation, nationality, race, status, age or gender.
Kimbrough has had work featured in shows across America and also has work in many private collections, including the collection of University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston Hospital.
She looks forward to sharing her work with the Final Friday visitors at Steckline Gallery.
“I hope that people feel the sense of community represented by the diverse faces in these paintings,” she explained. “That the audience sees the beauty of the individuals as well as the collective group. I want people to stop and contemplate what hope there is in humanity, and how each individual is worthy of attention and love.”
Kimbrough said one of the most exciting aspects of this show for her will be seeing all of the pieces come together in one space.
She said, “I feel like this series is most impactful when all of the paintings are in the same space and the viewer gets surrounded by faces. So having the opportunity to exhibit all these pieces in one space is very exciting.”
Kimbrough received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2004 from Missouri State University and attended Wichita State University for graduate studies from 2005-2006. Her studio practice focuses on painting and occasionally installation work.
There will be an Art for Lunch presentation noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, February 26, in the gallery. A light lunch will be served on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests are also welcome to bring their lunch. This event is free and reservations are not required.
The Steckline Gallery is located inside the De Mattias Fine Arts Center on the Newman campus, 3100 McCormick. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or by appointment. For more information, email Director of Steckline Gallery Shannon Johnston at [email protected].
