Jennifer Woolcock Schwartz
Brooklyn, NY
Website: www.jenniferwoolcockschwartz.com Genre:Humor; Surreal; Abstract; Biomorphic; Collaborative; Interactive; Technology; Social Criticism;
ARTIST STATEMENT:
Since the nineties, my work has fallen into three categories: abstract paintings on linen, mixed media work on paper, and multi-media installations. The installations enable me to combine painting with the internet, virtual worlds, and video - a medium in which I can employ skills learned while studying film and theater. In my paintings, I try to create a sense of playfullness and movement with simple forms and juxtaposition of color. My process is to do several small pencil sketches, working quickly. This allows images to appear spontaneously. I then rework the sketches, trying out various color combinations. One sketch is chosen and meticulously reproduced as a large oil painting. My work on paper is chiefly on watercolor and printmaking paper. I like the feel of these papers and the drawings are in a variety of media: pastel, crayon, oil stick, and ink. I have also worked with an ink pad and stamps, as well as creating drawings on the computer. The drawings are of the moment – no forethought, no planning. It is whatever comes to mind. I find popular culture an easy target for satire. Two of my installations were commentaries on how mass media affect the way women view themselves, how they strive to fit into what is considered fashionable and beautiful in our culture. I also like a challenge. After reading a New York Times article in early 2001 about how Boston University’s Scientific Computing and Visualizing lab created an immersive three-dimensional world and were asking for artists to participate, I decided to go to Boston and meet the people involved. The outcome was that I spent two years drawing storyboards and learning a 3D animation program. In 2004 I created an immersive animated world in collaboration with Boston University. This installation was shown at the Boston Cyberarts Festival in 2005. More...
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