“Born in 1987, I spent my early years letting imagination run free; playing dress up and building fairy huts under the fruit orchards in the backyard. My earliest memory is with a pencil in my hand, drawing. My identity has always been as an artist. I received my Master of Fine Arts from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 2014. Since then I have been painting, curating and teaching. I am most inspired to capture portraits of humans and how we relate to the natural world around us. I strive to capture the energy in us that is so unique to each individual, but also universal; the elegant spark that unites all living things.
Myths and legends tell the story of where we came from and who we see ourselves as. My aesthetic is influenced by the Rococo and Pre-Raphaelite periods of art history, as well as theater, set design, high fashion culture. The feminine figure is central in carrying the piece or telling a story, and her surroundings often mirror her state of mind. In all my work, I strive to create an enveloping world that is vivid, compelling and emotionally complex. I would like it if my viewers could step inside this world and fall in love, if only for a moment, with the moment portrayed. It is this portrayal of strength and potential, this perfect moment of inspiration within an imperfect world, that I aim to capture in my work.
The paintings and installations are also infused with a sense of light. In the paintings, this shows up in the way that light sources are enhanced and made more brilliant. In installations and video, the sensibility is similar in that there are glowing objects, filters, and effects that are use to enhance the effects of natural lighting. This results in a sense of distillation, a still perfection, like a memory or dream. In much of the work, but especially the paintings, true gold and silver leaf are used to add brilliance to the work. The changing nature of light makes this material look different when viewed from different angles, and also physically mimics the precious nature of the scene presented: the moment is worth being encased in gold.
Pattern and rhythm are also present as carriers of meaning in my work. The organic patterning of tree limbs, figures, flowers, and shadows all are used to create a sense of fullness and ornate design. In videos and installation, repeated motifs and objects are used to call attention to certain details.
It is my hope that my viewers may by inspired to recognize their own strength, beauty and mystery as they look at my work.”
Jessica Libor is from Philadelphia, PA and creates work that deal with beauty, desire, nature, and feminine experience. Jessica also curates exhibitions through the pop-up gallery Era Contemporary. She has studied at the Florence Academy of Art, Grand Central Atelier and received her MFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. She currently divides her time between Philadelphia, PA and New York, NY.
