A virtual garden of Eden
TriCities.com
What: Snakes and the Fairer Sex: an Honors Thesis Exhibit of Work by Jennifer Culp Wood
Where: Slocumb Gallery
When: February 27th through March 3rd, gallery hours: 9am to 4.30pm
Jennifer Culp Wood, a metalsmithing student in ETSU’s Department of Art and Design has created a virtual garden of Eden in ETSU’s Slocumb Gallery this week. Her work, consisting of jewelry and wearable art, is sexy and sexual, challenging conventional ideas about jewelry, women and beauty.
The pieces are attractive, their drawing power being their sleek, bold design. But look closely enough, and you find danger. Snakes abound in the work, with jeweled eyes and hinged scales. In her artist’s statement, Wood discusses the way that women are perceived and treated as a result, and draws on biblical and mythological imagery to drive that message home…hence the snakes and the fruit.
This work is a small fraction of what can be enjoyed in Slocumb Gallery this year. Every week, students who are graduating will be showing their B.F.A. and M.F.A. portfolios. This is a wonderful opportunity to see what our local artists are creating, and the gallery and openings are free to the public. The Gallery is located in the first floor of Ball Hall on the campus of East Tennessee State University.
If you would like to contact Jennifer about her work, she can be reached at jenncwood@gmail.com. An updated calendar of Slocumb exhibits is found at the website of ETSU’s Department of Art and Design.
