JCAC
“Takae as Mary Poppins of 17 Cherry Tree Lane.”

From local sources

JASPER — The Krempp Gallery at the Jasper Arts Center will present the work of graphite artist Jessica Burke beginning Friday. Burke’s work is part of a new series that functions as a meditation on identity and gender politics as seen through the influence of iconic figures of popular culture.

“There lies within us a deep and powerful desire to be more than we are, and these drawings explore the idea that make-believe has become a way to empower the powerless,” Burke says. “Imagination is the agent of transformation that makes something ordinary into something extraordinary.”

The series allows the viewer to assume the persona of a fictional character from popular culture that was particularly influential during the viewer’s formative years.

“These drawings reveal a shared sense of an inner desire to be more than the reflection we see in the mirror and closer to what is reflected to us from our television, computer or movie screen,” she says.
Burke holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in drawing and painting from Oklahoma State University and a Master of Fine Arts in painting from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is an assistant professor and director of the Foundations Program in the Betty Foy Sanders Art Department at Georgia Southern University.

An artist’s reception and talk will take place at the arts center from 5 to 8 p.m. next Thursday in collaboration with the First Thursday Community Showcase. Blue Heron Winery will be the featured winery for the evening and music will be provided by Strings Inc.

The Krempp Gallery, located in the arts center adjacent to Vincennes University Jasper Campus, is open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays and from noon to 3 p.m. Sundays. School groups, clubs and students are welcome. Admission is free.

For more information, call the art center at 482-3070.

Online:
www.jessicaburkeartist.com