One of Tennessee’s most distinctive and original visual artists will present her first solo exhibition at the Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center’s Papillon Gallery this summer. On the Wings of Blessings will feature paintings, journals, sculptures and mixed-media works created over the past five years. The exhibit runs Aug. 3 to Sept. 29, 2024.
A Pennsylvania native, Jennings moved to Nashville at age 15 and graduated from Dupont Senior High School as an art honors student. She studied graphic design at Nashville State Tech and Nōssi College of Art and then worked in Nashville’s print industry. In the late 1990s, Jenning threw caution to the wind when she decided to become a full-time independent artist. Around this same time, she met her future husband, the noted artist Anton Weiss, who had been a protégé of the abstract expressionist painter Hans Hofmann. Jennings attributes much of her development as an artist to Weiss’ influence and support.
As a painter, Jennings creates works that draw heavily on primitivism, symbolism and collage. She points to the horses in her painting “Greener Pastures,” which will be on display at Papillon Gallery, as an example of her approach to primitivism. The horses appear as simple, primitive outlines on a soft green landscape. Similarly, many of her wood-and-stone sculptures come across as primitive totemic figures. Her sculpture “The Spirit of the Forest” calls to mind a mysterious shaman. All the works in the exhibit reveal a deep and abiding love for nature.
It’s worth noting that the works in this exhibit were all created over the past five years, which has been a period of heartache and change for Jennings. Her mother passed away during this time, as did her husband Anton Weiss. In finding the inspiration to create these new works, Jennings demonstrates both the power of art and the resilience of the human spirit.
An opening reception for On the Wings of Blessings will be Saturday, Aug. 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. Jennings will present an Artist Talk about her exhibition on Thursday, Sept.19 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The evening will include refreshments and an opportunity to meet the artist and ask questions about her work and process.
Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center (MACC) is a jewel-box art museum and education facility housed in one of Tennessee’s most spectacular antebellum mansions. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the MACC has staged exhibitions featuring everything from the ceramic art of Pablo Picasso to the evening gowns of Princess Diana. The artwork of local artists and military veterans are also on frequent display. As an art school, the MACC offers classes to more than 900 children and adults each year. The MACC also provides free arts outreach and healing arts to underserved children, families and military veterans. For more information, visit www.monthavenarts.org or call (615) 822-0789.
Opening Reception: On The Wings of Blessings, Works by Lisa Jennings August 3, 6-8PM
Lisa Jennings Artist Talk, September 19, 6:30 – 7:30PM
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