Frontin(g)
MFA thesis exhibition by Jamal Thorne
April 19-June 3
Opening reception: April 19, 5-7pm in Gallery 360
Since the Fall of 2010 my work has addressed Judith Butler’s theories regarding performed identity and how they relate to popular culture, new media, and cultural symbolism. The consistent appearance of collage and image layering within the work is meant to be a reflection of how individuals consume and process material from our environment. Some of these things make a permanent impression on our identities, while others lose relevance and are torn away leaving marks as relics of the past.
With Frontin(g), I have visualized the things we internalize from society, the media, cultural tradition, and authentic experience as a mask, or a front, that is in constant flux. I have personally experienced the mask’s instability as my behavioral patterns are constantly shifting between those of an inner city African-American and a middle-class suburban African-American, depending on whom I am interacting with. For nearly a decade I performed this oscillation between behaviors before comprehending the implications of my actions.
Constant movement between performed identities prompts the inevitable question of “Which identity is authentic?” In my opinion, we are all of the identities we perform and we are things that we internalize. Even if it is only temporary, we become the masks that we wear. Once we have consumed material from our environment visually and intellectually, our identities are influenced and a new mask is generated. Whether the elements consumed and the performed identities are permanent or temporary is only relevant in that they further embody the fluctuating nature of the masks we wear. For me, Frontin(g) acts as an outlet for pending questions about why these masks exist. Who do we change them for and what happens when we are stripped of them completely?
Section A
ESGA's “Memory Remains”
Mar. 27 - Jun. 4
Opening Reception: March 30th in Gallery 360 from 7-8pm
Sections B/C
Don West's "Crossroads"
Mar. 19 - Jun. 1
As a citizen/photographer of the world, my passion is to capture visual images that highlight the unique spirit of people at work, with their families and in struggle for what they believe.
I love the rich stew of life, and I use the camera lens not just to replicate reality, but also to tell a story, and paint a textured picture of people and places. I like to think that together, my intimate portraits, architectural landscapes, and impromptu street scenes provide soulful insights into the unique character and common humanity of diverse cultures.
Don West began his career as a freelance and news photographer, making a conscious choice to capture affirmative images of people of color. He got his start working for United Press International and Boston’s black weekly newspaper, the Bay State Banner. West has since gone on to a host of editorial and documentary assignments that have taken him throughout the United States, Latin America, Africa, China, Europe and the Middle East.
Don is proud of his affiliation with the African American Master Artist in Residence Program (AAMARP) at Northeastern University, where he is surrounded and inspired by many accomplished artists from a variety of artistic disciplines.
Sections E/F
Jennifer Chen, Class of 2012 "Expression of Beauty, Form, and Emotion"
Mar. 7 - Jun. 1
Reception: April 12th from 5-7pm in Gallery 360
Jennifer's portfolio celebrates the expression of beauty, form, and emotion through the use of various media. Each piece displayed in this exhibition is constructed to speak more than what one can see in their initial glance.
Jennifer’s art is a platform Through which she communicates her ideas in hopes that it will open doors for the public interpretation, thought, and connection to the visual arts and life experience.