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Jessica Morris was born and raised in San Antonio. She is a life long lover of the arts and humanities. Though artistic as a child, her formal art education became serious when she was a student at San Antonio College. There she felt immense support of the faculty – particularly Susan Budge – and would receive three associate degrees. She spent a few years in San Antonio’s Burlesque scene before returning to formal education at Kansas City Art Institute. She would participate in a study abroad trip in Hungary at the International Ceramics Institute, studying both folk and fine art of the region. She also worked at the Janess Library mending books and participated in courses related to art history, rare books, and bookmaking. She received her BFA in studio ceramics and an additional social practice certificate. While studying at Southwestern College in Santa Fe, New Mexico, she worked at the Quimby Memorial Library and was the gallery coordinator for Wildheart Gallery. There she’d have her first solo exhibition: Vicissitudes. After receiving her graduate certificate in Trauma, Grief, and Renewal, she pivoted to study heritage and museum sciences at Texas Tech University. After working on multiple projects related to preventive conservation, educating students as a teaching assistant and VP of the Museum and Heritage Student Association, and winning a student award from the Mountain Plains Museum Association, she became staff at the Museum of Texas Tech University. Th ... view more »
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MORE ABOUT THIS ARTIST
Artist Type: Literary Arts: Author/Writer, Poet; Multi-Disciplinary: Multiple Art Forms; Visual Arts: Ceramist, Illustrator, Mixed Media Artist, Painter, Photographer
Artist Style: Literary: Poetry, Prose; Visual Art: Conceptual, Contemporary, Decorative/Ornamental, Expressionistic, Figurative, Icongraphic/Iconoclastic, Illustrative, Impressionistic, Narrative/Historical, Political, Portraiture
Artist Medium: Acrylic; Clay; Colored Pencil; Drawing Media; Photography; Watercolor
Artist Statement of Work
Tell us about your work (style, approach, philosophy, subject and/or theme):
I love a good story. When I make art, it is my intention to create a cohesive narrative, whether through clay, photography, illustration, or written word. I try to be clear in my meaning through the use of symbols, emblems, and etymological links. Research is a big part of my process. Though I may have a plenty of extra interesting information, I try to distill down the essence of what I’m trying to communicate into a single image. I often utilize art historic, literary, and vintage graphic framing devices to attempt to make my work more readable and accessible. I also like to infuse humor and utilize kitsch when possible. I will often give additional written interpretation for my visual storytelling pieces on my social media pages and blog to talk about my influences and thought processes.