Jennifer Rubin Garey: Artist and Sculptor

My work focuses on the female figure and how we choose to allow ourselves to be judged by external standards of body and appearance. These standards are self- imposed in response to societal expectations and our own innate need to conform. We are not the only ones policing our conformity we are judged by others, as well. Not just the people we see in passing, but our mothers, sisters, and friends. When we let these external pressures push us out of true we are shifted off our personal foundations. Our true form may or may not be consistent with the contemporary idealized image of a beautiful, successful woman. Clothing such as high heels and corsets reform the body into an unnatural shape, which may paradoxically be considered the ideal.

While continuously exploring the human figure I have found that the evolution of my artistic concept is parallel to gender stresses and insecurities and are juxtaposed with issues surrounding female politics. I create art that navigates and addresses longing standing gender constraints and perception. These stereotypes halt us from the past and are usually unspoken. My work creates a forum for this conversation and helps us see if not feel how that transition continues to affect us in the here and now. I have experimented with a myriad of materials in an attempt to bring forth these notions in my art. The recurring theme of transparent materials, in contrast to opaque, is indicative of the ephemeral quality of the human body. This is evident in my current work representing the dichotomy between the delicate yet powerful self, and the evolving roles women play set forth by societal structure.

This describes the root of my art. I make my work visually distinct by manipulating the female form into a beautiful yet mysterious piece of art. I do this by elongating, concealing, or extracting elements from the figure and transforming them into a rigid structure such as bronze or resin. This I feel enables the viewer to embrace the art for its beauty whether or not they embrace or understand my concept.