Jennifer Kapnek

The Anatomy of Autonomy, 2021

WOOD, ORGANIC WOOD MATERIAL, STEEL, ACRYLIC PAINT, ANTI-GRAFFITI COATING

ARTIST STATEMENT:

“The Anatomy of Autonomy ” has two sides with the image of a tree at different points in the season. The two sides share a single tree trunk, divided in 1/2, extending and uniting beyond the 1.5 inch plywood panel. One side depicts buoyancy in newness of spring, the other is a reflection of autumnal experience, and a single full moon drapes over each half. This piece asserts that throughout the phases of change separateness is overshadowed by unity. Both the process of letting go and the process of regrowth are locked in togetherness. These two processes comprise the essence of renewal.

ARTIST PROFILE:

Jennifer Kapnek lives in Portland Oregon producing paintings, sculpture and public art. Feeling a a deep connection to nature: organic dimensional elements, natural or broken edges, branches and texture are a constant in her pieces. The exploration of nature offers an intrinsic opportunity to consider growth, balance, impermanence, and seasonality in my work. She focuses on a clean simplicity with sharpened intention and a demand for balance. Inspired by color, she saturates the field with many layers of acrylic paint. Her work is bright and light-filled, and are thoughtfully constructed both for safety and to be enduring. She approaches every project pairing my deep appreciation for the language of nature with my practiced and creative techniques to speak in a voice that crosses cultural, economic and social divisions.