Meet Jennifer Van | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Van and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Driven by a genuine desire to connect with and help those around me, I believe one of the most important roles an artist can play is to inspire others to introspect and care for others. For me, success is defined by finding ways to bring people together and inspire each other to achieve our best. As one of three co-founders of a nonprofit gallery, we initiated this project with the aim of supporting Emerging Artists through their first solo shows and fostering mentorship and relationships between Established and Emerging Artists. Being an artist myself, I understand the challenges of gaining exposure for your artwork and the critical importance of building a community to propel you forward.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My educational journey in the arts began in junior college, where many important people in my life inspired me to begin my career as an artist. I then attended CSU Stanislaus, where I earned a BFA in Graphic Arts and BA in Art History. During this experience, I realized my desire to create art that connects with people through photography. For me, it was crucial not only to make art but also to understand the historical significance of artwork created before me. After my undergraduate studies, I discovered how difficult it is for artists to network outside of an academic institution. This realization led me to become one of three co-founders of a nonprofit gallery in New Mexico. We began Strata Gallery in 2019, right at the onset of COVID-19, a time that was both incredibly challenging and opportune for launching a gallery. During the pandemic, many artists felt isolated, highlighting the importance of community and connection our gallery provided – a need that remains critical today.

In 2018, I started a series of photographs titled “Sessions”, which I continued after being accepted in graduate school at California Institute of the Arts in 2022. In this series, I discussed life experiences and allowed the camera to capture long-exposure images of my body moving in space. This process resulted in thousands of images. The human form has always been at the center of my work, because although our understanding of ourselves and each other is mediated through culture, preconceived notions, and biases, it is through our bodies that we learn to negotiate our identities and how we are perceived. I recently completed my thesis solo exhibition at CalArts, titled “Reclamation”. This show encapsulated so many levels for me as an artist. Touching on themes of memory, time, preservation, identity, the ephemeral nature of existence, individuality, dreams, expression, and a critique of social structures. As I am about to graduate with a MFA in Photography and Media, I look forward to all the possibilities the future may hold. I encourage everyone to follow their dreams and to remain open to what might come.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
There is so much to do in Los Angeles! I would hit the highlights: – The Getty
– Norton Simon Museum
– The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
– The California African American Museum (CAAM)
– Los Angeles Museum of Art (LACMA)
– The Broad
– Hammer Museum
– The Huntington Library
– The beach – probably Santa Monica Pier
– Carnes Asadas Pancho Lopez – best carne en su jugo
– Near the end of the trip, I would stay at home, play some board games, and watch a nice movie with popcorn.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My success is credited foremost to my family, friends, and mentors. You all know who you are! When I was younger, I thought the road to success was straight, but I quickly learned it is winding and forks in different directions. It’s truly the stability provided by those around you that keeps you on track and helps you find your way. I’ve learned the value of adaptability, to learn from where I am, and to focus on where I hope to go.

Website: www.jennifervan.com