LESLIE JIMÉNEZ: Catch the Light!
Leslie Jimenez, Think-ing, Feel-ing, Be-ing, Learn-ing, Heal-ing, Stay-ing!, 2016-2018
Leslie jimÉnez: Catch the Light!
On view june 28, 2018 - september 23, 2018
Catch the Light! features a surprising mix of framed drawings, hand-painted murals, and glass sculpture installation. Each of the delicately fabricated works in Jiménez’s first solo museum exhibition uses everyday materials like thread, paint, fabric, mylar and glass to highlight moments from her daily life in Washington Heights. Presented at the culmination of Jiménez’s year-long residency at the Museum, this project transforms the artist-in-residence studio into a space that promotes curiosity, self-exploration and mindfulness.
INSIDE THE EXHIBITION
The hand-stitched drawings from Jimenez’s Humble Heroes series use a simple line to show the strength she sees in the women and caregivers in her life. In the 3-D line drawings, she captures often unrecognized labor and care--her neighbor as she guides a child to school, the motion of another woman pushing a stroller along, the beauty in a small detail on the side of the building across the street.
In “Think-ing, Feel-ing, Be-ing, Learn-ing, Heal-ing, Stay-ing”, thirty glass bulbs each hold an embroidered piece of cloth depicting hands, brains and hearts. Bringing together durable and fragile materials like fabric and glass, the sculpture speaks to how precious life can be.
In all, Catch the Light! reminds us to take time to see through things to the strength and power that exists in ourselves and those in our community.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Leslie Jiménez is a multi-disciplinary artist, illustrator, and museum educator. Based in NY, where she works and lives with her husband and daughter. Ms. Jiménez graduated from the prestigious Altos de Chavón School of Design, in the Dominican Republic. She was awarded a full scholarship from Parsons The New School for Design in New York City, where she graduated with honors. Leslie Jimenez' work has been selected for public art projects in Washington Heights and Harlem.
Leslie's work has been exhibited in galleries in NYC, Washington DC, Barbados, Santo Domingo, SCOPE Contemporary Art Fair NY, Wheaton Arts Cultural Center, and New York Presbyterian. Other venues include PBS, the Financial Times and online magazine Mashable. Jiménez has been invited to talk about her work at El Museo del Barrio, CNN en Español, Rutgers University, City College, Art In FLUX and Parsons The New School.