Jean Hess

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I work in series. Each of the images seen here represent possibly a dozen or more works. I also often re-work paintings long after they have been initiated. While the media and surface imagery may vary over time, there is overall continuity in palette, touch, and atmosphere, especially regarding the perspective which is almost always aerial.

Inspiration: I am interested in surfaces and how deep or resonant I can make them. I avoid recognizable imagery or forms, preferring an air of mystery and fluidity.

I aim for multi-layered planes of resin and floating marks to dazzle the eye and, I hope, cause the viewer to wonder "what can that be?"

The work is not about anything. I like the archaeologist's idea of "problematic forms" --found things that tell no story so that their reason for existence is a tantalizing question. That is about as close to the sublime as I believe we can get.

Process: I create visual puzzles for myself to solve by randomly collaging ephemera from nature as well as antique sources. Some involve additions of paint and graphite to paper; others are stitched in intricate grids.

I work in successive layers. I do not begin a piece with any concrete plans, however. I like to see wher...

EDUCATION
M.A. University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
B.A. University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
University of Texas - Dallas, Richardson, Texas.
University of Maryland, College Park
Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore,

2023

“Repair Reconnect” Tennessee Triennial. A-1LAB Arts at Arts and Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville.

CAA “Pushing Boundaries.” CAA. Burbank, CA: Betsy Lueke Creative Arts Center.

“Personal Search: Small Works” Upstream Gallery. Hastings on Hudson, NY

“Building Reflections: Contemplations in Collage.” Callanwolde Fine Arts Center.

“Positive/Negative 38th Annual ETSU Juror: Mark Scala [Frist]

2022

“Matewan as Metaphor.” Solo show at FLOOD Gallery, Black Mountain, NC.

“The Healing Power of Hope.” Virginia Tech. Carilion School of Medicine Gallery.

“Night Visions.” Coconino Center for the Arts, Flagstaff AZ.

“Currents: Women Artists from the KMA Collection.” Knoxville Museum of Art.

”13th Annual Drawing Discourse.” University of North Carolina-Asheville

“From These Hills.” William King Museum. Michael Rooks, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, High Museum

2021
Covenant College, Lookout Mountain, GA [solo show “Aboutness”]

Alexandria Museum of Art [LA]

Floyd Art Museum – Virginia

San Diego Museum of Art

Denise Bibro Gallery – NYC

Association for Visual Arts – Chattanooga

National Collage Society small format show

Upstream Gallery – Hastings-On-Hudson NY

2016 ...