II
I am haunted by imagery.
From the moment I wake until my mind drifts to sleep; my thoughts are ever held captive by beauty. Beauty within every aspect of our existence; the raw, the ‘ugly', the minute - these moments, these gifts encapsulate what it means to be human. Assembling the broken pieces of our stories, our souls, our bodies … embracing, rather than rejecting the reality of death, decay and loss. These are the driving forces beneath my work and the elements to which I am perpetually drawn. Whether this be a discarded object, experience or emotion, honouring the inherent beauty within these elements is redemptive … sacred. The beautiful weight of stone, the exquisite hue of a weathered saw, the texture of a discarded railway tie. These are stunning and yet it is only when these seemingly disparate elements are combined that a truly gorgeous experience is achieved.
These experiences are never truly ‘solo exhibitions;’ while it is my vision, handiwork and concept, a beautiful aspect about the way I work is that it always necessitates a team of like-minded individuals. Framing, printing, welding expertise (my skills are rudimentary), instruction in working with new materials; these necessitate the input of others. An artist never stops reaching, learning and seeking to expand their creative tool belt. These skill sets, tools and supplies incur considerable costs and so my gratitude for the crews of volunteers who have helped transport, maneuver and assist in capturing select performances knows no bounds. I would not be where I am today without a village to support, mentor and encourage my studio practice. In this respect, my work assembles not only experiences, but the most unlikely individuals.
Thank you for joining me on this creative path; art is not a luxury for the wealthy, but the foundation of any healthy individual, community and society. If you have access to any deceased wildlife, antler sheds, feathers, nests, bones or discarded material; please let know via email (jenniferpeters@acanadianartist.org) or D.M. and I will pay you a visit. Anyone who chooses to donate an item will receive a small token of my gratitude and the opportunity to share their story. I am currently on the hunt for Western antiques, horse tack and used tablecloths or sheets.
With Gratitude,
Jennifer Peters
