Kristen Jensen

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What is my work about?

My work questions the line that exists between strength and weakness, control and disorder: taking the form of porcelain and mixed material objects. In my work, beauty is at odds with the destructive qualities of the medium. My almost ritualistic planning is thwarted by the unpredictability of the outcome of the resulting object. The twisted, bloated, and cracked forms belie strength inherent to the medium and suggest an awkwardness that stems from physical duress and material manipulation. They oscillate between more organic abstract forms that suggest rocks or bodily organs to vessel forms that draw inspiration from ancient forms yet whose function is ambiguous or invented. These objects become proxies for personal emotions and relationships, so that somewhat recognizable forms are imbued with a more universal, public expression. Ultimately my hope is that the viewers see the fragility in life, the tensions between the surfaces and interiors and consider their own lives.

 

Artist Statement

While my current artistic practice can be defined as interdisciplinary, there has been a particular focus on ceramics in the past three years. During this time I have had the opportunity to glean tremendous technical knowledge, allowing me to develop a nuanced voice in this genre.  In turn these skills have served to expand my technical artistic vocabulary, which I would characterize as being largely informed by process and craft.  Armed with diverse knowledge of materials and techniques, I utilize their technical potential and historical use and meaning to reinterpret everyday objects. I make forms as vessels or containers of emotional and psychological complexity that address personal history through cultural objects, whether they draw inspiration from ancient Iranian vessels or Dutch furniture.  Resulting from this interest and investigation are works that are equal parts poetic and pathetic.

 

CV

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS AND PROJECTS

2014

SITE/DISPLACE, Kristen Lorello, New York, New York

PERSONAL PREHISTORIES, Scaramouche, New York, New York, curated by Marco Antonini

NADA NYC, exhibited by Regina Rex, New York, New York

If that’s the name wewl do the same: Kristen Jensen + Nicholas Moenich, Harbor Gallery, Brooklyn, New York

Former Models: An Exhibition, BRIC house, Brooklyn, New York, curated by Merkx & Gwynne

Oblique Strategies, Peter Fingesten Gallery, Pace University, New York, New York, curated by Emmy Mikelson

2013

10 Years Anniversary Show, Gallery Poulsen, Copenhagen, Denmark

To Be A Lady: An International Celebration Of Women In The Arts, Sundaram Tagore Gallery, Singapore, curated by Jason Andrew

Cisco Sysco Sisqo, The Rockaways, New York, curated by Tom Simon, Alina Tenser and Kristof Wickman

Unhinged group exhibition, Pierogi, Brooklyn, New York

Valori Plastici group exhibition, Nicelle Beauchene, New York, New York

Do It (Outside) group exhibition, Socrates Sculpture Park, LIC, New York, curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist

Lucky Draw 2013, SculptureCenter, LIC, New York

Dynasty, an exhibition modeled on the dynamics of multigenerational families, Hotel Particulier, New York, New York, curated by Amy Goldrich, Christopher K. Ho, Omar Lopez-Chahoud, and Sara Reisman

Monsalvat a Merkx & Gwynne project, Bureau, New York, New York, organized with Maliea Croy

2012

Piece Of Blue And Other Proxies, solo installation, Room X at Bortolami Gallery, New York, New York

To Be A Lady: Forty Five Women In The Arts group exhibition, Avenue of the Americas Art Gallery, New York, New York, curated by Jason Andrew

Taste group exhibition, Small Black Door, Brooklyn, New York

Can’t Stop Rock Lobster group exhibition, Shoot the Lobster/Martos Gallery, New York, New York, curated by Merkx & Gwynne

It’s No Ones Fault solo exhibition, Norte Maar, Brooklyn, New York

Soft Opening group exhibition, Heliopolis, Brooklyn, New York

Momenta Art Benefit, Momenta Art, Brooklyn, New York

2011

Tale group exhibition, Brooklyn, NY curated by Lynn Sullivan

Pop Up Portrait Show group exhibition, Scot Cohen, Hudson, New York, curated by Austin Thomas

Anomalous Urges group exhibition, Vaudeville Park, Brooklyn, New York, curated by Courtney Tramposh

Read All Over group exhibition, Bystander Gallery, Los Angeles, California, curated by Craig Platt

2010

Haute Romantics group exhibition, Verge Gallery, Sacramento, California, curated by Paddy Johnson

Magicality group exhibition, Platform Gallery, Seattle, Washington, curated by Eric Trosko and William Powhida

Hunter Mfa Thesis Show, Hunter College/Times Square Gallery, New York, New York

Transportable Mind, Área Lugar De Proyectos, Puerto Rico, curated by Christopher Rivera

Wherever: Small Works In A Portable Room, various sites, New York, New York

2009

Vacation From Mine, collaborative performance/installation with Cian McConn, X Initiative, New York, New York

Mas SELECT Mfas, Times Square Gallery, New York, New York

2008

Give group exhibition, Union Gallery, New York, New York

Video Screening, Apexart, New York, New York

2006

Little Women, group exhibition, Dam, Stuhltrager Gallery, Brooklyn, New York curated by James Kalm

2005

My Objects solo exhibition, Dam, Stuhltrager Gallery, Brooklyn, New York

2003-Present

Pierogi 2000 Artist Flat File, Pierogi 2000, Brooklyn, New York

Viewing Program, Drawing Center, New York, New York

 

EDUCATION AND RESIDENCIES

Associate Curator, Thomas Hunter Project Space, New York, New York

Artist In Residence And Guest Lecturer, Hunter College, 2010 through 2012

MFA   Hunter College, New York, New York

BFA    Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York