Meet Jennifer Berkowitz | Artist

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

Hi Jennifer, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk taking is essential to my creativity. Vulnerability, surprise, and the beginner’s mind are central to making work that has depth and excitement. In art school I was throwing my body into 10 foot wide action paintings without knowing the outcome. I graduated from art school with no plan for how I would support myself. From purely conceptual art I threw myself into the business of animation and special effects without any real knowledge or education. Bit by bit, chance by chance, I learned the field and acquired experience. After 35 years in motion graphics for television and film, I got my first studio where the ultimate risks awaited. I made a deep dive into my soul to uncover my voice and personal practice as an artist.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Life’s psychological, emotional, and political challenges fuel my work. My series-based paintings and animations evolve through my curiosity and relentless inquiry into themes of dislocation, loss, and coming of age. How did I get to where I am professionally today? I never take no for an answer, I focus on what I care about, and I’m constantly evolving. My story is one of love, passion, stubborness, and risk. Be careful what you wish for!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love LA, the nature, history, food, art, and the people. My friend and I would start at home where we could lay around with the windows open and enjoy the warm air and open space. From there we would probably roll out for a walk around the neighborhood that would have to include a stroll around the Silverlake reservoir, and then slake our thirst in a garden spot with good tacos and drinks, perhaps Salazar. A visit to my DTLA studio in the Bendix building is an essential part of our tour. To know me, is to know my work. The Bendix is located in the Fashion District where the shopping is so entertaining and the quickest way to visit Mexico without leaving the city. And once we’re downtown it’s great to visit Hauser Wirth, and maybe get a meal or just drinks at Manuels in the courtyard. Let’s not forget The Broad Museum with their exciting permanent collection and constant array of great exhibitions. Hopefully we can get in to hear a concert at the spectacular Disney Hall. I know the westside is terribly far away, but we have to go to the beach. I love being on the edge of the continent, and some of the best hiking is in the Santa Monica mountains. On our way home we need to stop at one of the incredible mammoth Korean markets to stock up on strange fermented vegetables and exotic ingredients. Hopefully, the next day we can take a late afternoon walk through the Hollywood Hills into Griffith Park and land at the base of the Hollywood sign. And again, we need to slake our thirst with a trip back in time and have the best martini in town at Musso & Frank, and possibly fold into one of their booths for dinner. .

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?
I am deeply indebted to my mentor, Kim Anno. Kim is an inspired painter, activist, and teacher at California College of the Arts. She has helped me to enrich my practice and grow as a painter, artist, and human being.

Website: https://www.jenniferberkowitz.com

Instagram: @jenniferberkowitz