In The Name Of Reality: Jen Weber

Mind warping images surround you as soon as you walk into Jen Weber’s world of art. Heavily influenced by her educational background in psychology and philosophy, she derives her ideas from what surrounds her: a fleeting image, a wink of light, stimulation of the senses, the urban environment, and perception of reflections. The urban landscape is her playground where she finds most of her subjects. She takes pictures of what catches her artistic eye and carefully tucks it away for later perusal. 

As unique as the artist’s eye is, Jen believes each person’s perception of the environment is even more unique.

“What I find so interesting is that everyone perceives surroundings slightly differently based on past experience and personal interest. Reflections are just part of the environment and rarely do most people consciously observe the strange forms present within them.”  

Cardigan Street Pedestrian, 2013

Indeed, a single glance at her painting would not do it justice. As if sporting invisible hooks, it latches onto the logical part of the brain. Forcing you to retrace your steps or do a double take to give it a closer look. Your mind will mull it over and over trying to find the reality behind the surreality that confronts it. Caught in it’s own attempts at straightening out a reality, your mind absorbs the art work and gives it a whole new meaning. Only when it finally feels it has conquered the contorted image presented and has assembled some form of order will it move on.

For Jen, that achieves wonders, her work magnetizes the viewer so that there is indulgence of senses. Sometimes there is a melding of senses to achieve some form of semblance.

“My goal is to create an image that is removed from the original environmental cues so that all the viewer is left to consider is that which they normally overlook. I strive to create an image that forces the viewer to look a little bit longer than normal.” 

Macdonell and Wilson, 2012

Jen excels in creating art in print making, sculpture, and welding. But she has always been most fascinated by the medium of painting and illustration. Even though her work is solitary, she finds the idea of collaborating with musicians, authors, and directors very exciting. Her artistic acumen is proficient at creating images for people as they see them in their mind’s eye. Authors looking for cover illustrators, or musicians looking for someone to make an eye-catching poster, or directors wishing to have their work artistically enchanted will be charmed by the ceaselessly brilliant art by Jen. 

Woolwich and Yarmouth, 2013

One more feather in Jen’s art-cap is the Art Distribution Centre project. It was inspired by the tradition of mail art and institutional critique. Using her skills as a welder she has put together a public kiosk (in the shape of a newspaper box) to help artists display their work. It’s free to drop work in, and it’s free to drop by and fancy your artistic drive with.

College and University, 2013