Jennifer Greenburg: Constructed Portraits
Anya, 2023, archival pigment print, 31 x 31 inches (image), edition of 2 + 2 AP
© Jennifer Greenburg/Courtesy of Klompching Gallery
Written by Wenjie (Demi) Zhao
Constructed Portraits, a solo exhibition by Jennifer Greenburg at the Klompching Gallery, offers a refreshing perspective on photographic portraits and ways they can be understood. From June 7 through July 27, 2023, viewers are invited to experience this new body of work within which tradition clashes with innovation, leaving behind striking portrayals of the female form.
The exhibition presents an array of captivating, large-scale portraits that inhabit the photographic frame with a striking self-awareness. And yet, they defy any definitive categorization, oscillating between the human and non-human, challenging the viewer’s expectations of gender and identity. The subjects, namely female-presenting figures, seem to be completely aware of the gaze they are under, of their immortalization in the photographic frame. However, as Greenburg eloquently notes, “neither a person nor a moment is preserved in these images,” highlighting the constructed nature of her work.
Isabella, 2023, archival pigment print, 31 x 31 inches (image), edition of 2 + 2 AP
© Jennifer Greenburg/Courtesy of Klompching Gallery
Greenburg’s portraits also create an intriguing dialogue with her past works, where she often engaged with ideals of beauty and the perfection of the female form. Through her images remain rooted in these themes, she innovatively extends the dialogue by incorporating the intersection of the human, machine, object, and otherness, blurring traditional lines and boldly venturing into uncharted territories of representation.
What makes this collection truly groundbreaking is not only the subjects that Greenburg chooses to depict but also the innovative methodology behind the production of these images. They are an interweaving of the historical and the contemporary, the real and the artificial, the familiar and the unknown. In her photographs, Greenburg employs various devices, including resonances with key historical art figures and artworks. These layered references to art history and historical movements add a depth that only magnifies the viewer’s engagement with each piece.
Dvora, 2023, archival pigment print, 31 x 31 inches (image), edition of 2 + 2 AP
© Jennifer Greenburg/Courtesy of Klompching Gallery
Her work questions the veracity of the photographic image, while also exploring the optics of female representation. The female form, as represented in her work, is neither mere subject or object, but something entirely new - a testament to the breadth and depth of Greenburg’s visual vocabulary. The portraits are imbued with a sense of consciousness, as well as an underlying sexual energy that is hard to ignore, further complicating and enriching the viewer's interaction with the pieces.
Constructed Portraits does more than present a series of images; it allows us to reflect upon our understanding of identity, beauty, and representation. Jennifer Greenburg showcases the elasticity of the photographic medium, demonstrating that it can be a tool for both preserving and subverting reality. Her work extends beyond the frame, interrogating our perceptions and provoking a discourse on the nature of images and their truthfulness.
Vicky, 2023, archival pigment print, 31 x 31 inches (image), edition of 2 + 2 AP
© Jennifer Greenburg/Courtesy of Klompching Gallery
Jennifer Greenburg’s “Constructed Portraits” is a visually stunning and thought-provoking exploration of the capabilities of the photographic medium. The collection is both a continuation of and departure from her previous work, pushing boundaries while staying rooted in her distinct artistic vision. It is, without a doubt, a show that demands attention and engagement, offering a complex and innovative approach to photographic portraiture that lingers in the mind long after a viewing.
For more information, visit Klompching Gallery’s website.
