Meet Jen

Buckle up kiddos and brace yourselves for some BEAUTY a la Jen Dwyer. This California transplant trades in ceramics that are a visual feast, dealing with themes of feminizing and self-representation. Her ornate ceramics are a little bit Rococo, a little bit rebellious, and a whole lot of cool.

Below, we debate massage chairs versus clowns, the influence of politics on her work, and Jen reminds us of the power of positivity. :) :) :)

BICYCLE RIDING: A Fill in the blank by, Jen Dwyer

Most doctors agree that bicycle SCREAMING is a BLUE form of exercise that benefits FISH of all ages. Riding a bicycle enables you to develop your ELBOW muscles as well as QUICKLY increase the rate of your NIPPLE beat. Bicycle riding is also a SHINY means of ELEPHANT. More HATS around the world LAUGH on bicycles than drive WOMEN. No matter what kind of FRUIT you ride, always be sure to wear a GINGER on your head and have reflectors on your BACK, especially if you CRYING at night.

Would you rather…

smell like mothballs, or sound like gilbert Godfried?

I think I could coat myself with enough Le Labo perfume everyday to mask the smell of moth balls but a voice is hard to disguise (and I like to talk).

Some questions with Jen Dwyer

your favorite restaurant is modified to have massage chairs that are on at all times, or there is a clown in there doing clown things at all times? Please explain why.

Massage Chairs, Clowns scare me. And I feel like I could always use a massage :)

What led you to work with ceramics?

I got into ceramics in high school, I had a really amazing high school ceramics teacher that let me kind of do whatever I wanted in the studio. The freedom at an age where I felt like I didn’t have much say over my life was really nice. I also quickly fell for the soothing and tacility that is inherent in working with clay.

How does femininity and issues surrounding the female experience play into your work?

My work really shifted during the last presidential election. My work has always been pretty responsive and in college I received a dual degree in art and environmental science so I was making work prior to November 2016 about the apthrocopece and ecology, etc. however with the turmoil in the political climate my work became focused on female empowerment.

What is the last book you read?

I have a habit of reading many parts of many books but not finishing them haha, but the ones that I’m currently working my way through are Phenomenology of Perception by Maurice Merlea- Ponty and Goddesses in Everywoman by Jean Shinaoda Bolen, MD

When dealing with heavier topics, do you think it is important to bring in elements of levity and humor?

I do. I am a really sensitive person so I think about the ways that I appreciate heavier topics being pretend to me. I always appreciate artwork that has some initial point of entry with a deeper context after further speculation. I hope that bringing a sense of lightness or humor into my work will create more space for heavier ideas.

How do past artistic movements such as the Rococo period influence your work?

There are a lot of reasons why I love the Rococo Aesthetic. One in particular is it is an over the top feminine aesthetic in its design and palette, at least in the constructed notion we associate femininity today. It was Madame de Pompadour who influenced Louis XV to bring porcelain and the overall decadent aesthetic into the Palace of Versailles. She was also a huge patron of the arts including fashion. I find that element of female power to be an interesting layer to this art period. It also comes off as a very playful whimsical style but there is a very seedy underbelly to the time period. Especially in France, this style was only able to exist while the majority of the population suffered, which enivibilitaly ended in the French Monarchies demise.

If you were an onomatopoeia which one would you be?

Is ooooo one? I feel like I say that often when looking at friends art

What has been your biggest challenge as an artist?

I think to keep going and stay positive and not let the fear of uncertainty consume me. It can be so challenging to not have a consistent pay check at times, not know if your next show is going to be well received, not know if your dream galleries will ever work with you, there are so many unknowns in life and certainly in a creative life. But I do feel like artists are innately good problem solvers, and I do love a good challenge, of which there are many in art. But I find the pros certainly outweigh the cons of a creative life and I have many things to be grateful for :)

Any final comments? (This is your electronic soapbox for one last answer.)

Thanks so much for asking me to do this!

Jen Dwyer