Artist Statement
My
portraits identify people as more then just physical beings by using projections
of light to add another “layer” of information. The abstract imagery
invites the viewer to relate to the subject on their own terms; the viewer
must decipher the imagery, like a Rorschach Inkblot, seeing only what their
unconscious informs them to see. Through these portraits a universal mythology
of experience can be tied back together between the viewer, subject, and artist.
Greek goddess sculptures make up the additional layer of information used
in my “Goddess” series. The images show the dichotomy between
strength and vulnerability; projections can be interpreted as bruising or
as war paint. The young women portrayed in the series show the conflicting
sides of the feminine role: mother, child, warrior, victim; bearer of life
or harbinger of death. In the end, the viewer is left to confront their own
notions of femininity, power, gender, sexuality, and abuse.
Jess Cross Davis
1981
Born in Freedom, Pennsylvania
Lives and works in Salisbury, Maryland
Education
2007 - Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Philadelphia, PA
MFA Art, Painting emphasis
2004
- Salisbury University Salisbury , MD
BFA Art, Painting emphasis
2000
- 2002 University of Maryland Baltimore County Baltimore , MD
Solo Exhibitions
2007 - Blink Art Gallery, Memory and Mythos, Philadelphia, PA
2006 - Bishop's Stock Gallery, July's Featured Artist, Snow Hill
, MD
2006 - Qbix Gallery, Philadelphia , PA
2006 - East End Salon, Philadelphia , PA
2002 - City Hall Gallery, Gaithersburg, MD
2001 - Yellow Barn Gallery, Glen Echo Park , MD
Group and Juried Exhibitions
2011 - Art Institute and Gallery, National Juried Show, Salisbury,
MD
2011 - Salisbury University, Fall Faculty Exhibition, Salisbury,
MD
2010 - Salisbury University, Fall Faculty Exhibition, Salisbury,
MD
2010 - Art Institute and Gallery, Delmarva Regional Exhibition, Salisbury,
MD
2010 - Salisbury University, Winter Faculty Exhibition, Salisbury,
MD
2010 - Art Institute and Gallery, BIG, Salisbury, MD
2010 - Art Institute and Gallery, January Show, Salisbury, MD
2009 - Art Institute and Gallery, Holiday Artist Show, Salisbury,
MD
2009 - City Center Gallery, No Division, Salisbury, MD
2009 - Art Institute and Gallery, Faculty and Student Show, Salisbury,
MD
2008 - Salisbury University, Faculty Exhibition, Salisbury University,
Salisbury, MD
2008 - Frostburg University, Salisbury University Faculty Exhibition,
Frostburg, MD
2008 - Art Institute and Gallery, Faculty and Student Show, Salisbury,
MD
2007 - Exhibit Montgomery College, Salisbury University Faculty Exhibit,
Rockville, MD
2007 - Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art, Masters Thesis Show, Philadelphia
, PA
2005 - 1301 Gallery, PAFA Student Show, Philadelphia , PA
2005 - Art Institute and Gallery, Regional Show, Salisbury , MD
2005 - Art Institute and Gallery, Members Show, Salisbury , MD
2004 - Fulton Hall Gallery, Senior Show, Salisbury University, MD
2001 - Baltimore Museum of Art, MAEF Show, Baltimore, MD
Awards and Grants
2011
- Art Institute and Gallery, National Juried Show, Second Place
2010 - Art Institute and Gallery, Delmarva Regional Exhibition, Second Place
2010 - Art Institute and Gallery, Big Exhibition, First Place
2010 - Art Institute and Gallery, January Show, Honorable Mention
2005 - PAFA Women's Board Scholarship
2005 - Art Institute and Gallery, Special Award for Painting
2005 - Art Institute and Gallery, Special Award for Sculpture
2004 - SU President's Art Award for Two Dimensional Studio
2002 - Salisbury University Art Scholarship
2000 - UMBC Artist Scholar (Awarded four-year full scholarship)
2000 - Maryland Artists Equity Foundation Scholarship
1999 - Maryland Distinguished Scholar in the Arts Finalist
Curatorial Projects
2006 - Spring Arts Festival, Art Institute and Gallery. Salisbury, MD
2005 - Spring Arts Festival, Art Institute and Gallery. Salisbury, MD
Jessica Cross Davis
E-mail - mail@jesscross.com
Web Site - www.jesscross.com