"Imago Refracted" explores the intricate processes of reshaping and recontextualizing identities and perceptions. The term "imago" represents an idealized or fully realized image, while "refraction" refers to the bending and scattering of light, revealing layers of hidden meanings. This exhibition critically assesses the continuous transformation of images and identities through the prisms of time, experience, and perception. By delving into these refracted images, the exhibition prompts viewers to contemplate the fluidity and complexity of self-perception and identity.
Emily Foster, also known as Lemon, believes that objects achieve permanence through the subjective experience of the spectator, viewing the act of looking as both sacred and transformative. Her work, characterized by subtle shifts in color, tone, shadow, and texture, explores complex philosophical concepts and the interplay between Object and Subject, making viewers aware of their role in perception.
Jes Gamble, inspired by personal reflections and experiences, creates artworks that express the human journey. Gamble's exploration of the human form delves into the subconscious, capturing emotions and memories from different walks of life. Her art invites introspection and empathy, portraying the vulnerability and beauty of the human experience.
"Imago Refracted" encourages viewers to reflect on how identities are constructed and perceived, highlighting the fluidity of self-perception. It prompts a deeper engagement with art and an understanding of the observer's role in shaping meaning. As the curator Stefania Marino explains, “I met Emily Foster at the Barnes Foundation, when we worked closely together. Our shared empathy for human struggle and mutual appreciation for Italian culture—rooted in her Study Abroad at Temple University Rome—formed the basis of a lasting friendship. While in Philadelphia, a short time after having left the Barnes, I encountered Jes Gamble at the opening of the Artemis Contemporary. Our immediate connection and deepening admiration for her evocative art added another layer to my curatorial vision for the exhibition in Rome. It felt like an easy decision to include these two artists in an exhibition; I recognized that Emily and Jes, though approaching similar themes from different perspectives, would create a compelling dialogue. Their combined works offer a profound exploration of the human experience, inviting viewers to engage deeply with themes of identity, perception, and existence.”
Stefania Marino was born in Colombia, and moved to the United States with adoptive Italian parents. Growing up between the United States and Italy, she was immersed in a vibrant blend of cultures that profoundly shaped her world view. This diverse upbringing, combined with the profound influence of her mother, nurtured her love for art. Her studies in art and her time with fellow creatives led her to a place where art became a sanctuary, allowing her to fully express herself and find solace in the complexities of the experiences of others.
Stefania Marino studied at the University of the Arts London. She worked briefly at the Barnes Foundastion in Philadelphia, and later collaborated on a project to open a new Gallery in Philadelphia in Oct. 2023.
Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Jes Gamble is an interdisciplinary artist known for exploring the intersections of various mediums. They graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing from Penn State University in 2006 and went on to receive a Master of Fine Arts from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 2011. Jes Gamble has exhibited at a number of prestigious galleries and museums including exhibiting at, The Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris, 2018. Drawing inspiration from a range of sources, including personal reflections and human experiences, Jes Gamble creates artworks that serve as visual expressions of the human journey. Their exploration of the human form goes beyond the physical, delving into the realms of the subconscious and the intangible aspects of our existence.
Emily Foster, aka Lemon, is an interdisciplinary artist and educator living in Philadelphia, PA, USA. She studied abroad at Temple University Rome in Spring 2019. While there, she frequented Piazza Navona to play chess. She currently works at the Barnes Foundation as a Gallery Specialist, where she researches and gives talks to the public on the collection. Her work is born out of the explosive enthusiasm she feels when making sense of a new way to explain the experience of being alive in a self-conscious body. This body of work is made up of quiet spectacles, with subtle shifts in color, tone, shadow, and texture. The concepts for these pieces were derived from grasping at text and video on phenomenological and feminist philosophy and critical media studies.
