Jennifer Koch: Specimen & Marriages of Reason

Jennifer Koch: Specimen & Marriages of Reason

December 14–January 26, 2008
Vermont artist Jennifer Koch, recipient of the 2007 annual Barbara Smail Award, presents her box constructions, multi-media works and prints in a solo exhibition: Specimen & Marriages of Reason. Koch masterfully integrates found objects, oddities and images in curious and whimsical compositions for her series Specimen. By adopting the language of display commonly found in natural history museums, she builds shadow boxes that contain remnants of lives past to communicate associations from art, literature, nature and folklore. She states that “The panorama of illusions contained in each box chronicles my experience as collector and creator…I am inspired by a variety of collections from entomological specimens and archaeology collections to religious iconography.”

In her multi-media works Koch creatively appropriates and distorts imagery from the canon of art history, revealing her interest in the delicate balance struck between illusion and reality. For Marriages of Reason Koch collaborates with her husband, Gregg Blasdel, to create dynamic woodcuts and etchings. This series was conceived in 2004 during Roundabout: Print Project Six at the Firehouse Gallery. They represent a union of initiation and response between the two, yet carry the air of deliberate design. Specimen & Marriages of Reason explores the intelligent craftsmanship and thoughtful execution that embodies every aspect of Koch’s work.

This exhibition is generously sponsored by Saint Michael’s College.
Location: Firehouse Gallery