A photography exhibit that explores body image, identity and relationships is coming to downtown Trenton. Eleven Years by internationally recognized photographer Jen Davis will be on view at Mercer County Community College’s James Kerney Campus Gallery from Jan. 25 to Feb. 22.
The show features 28 photographs from Davis’ Eleven Years monograph, published in 2014. The book includes a series of self-portraits dealing with concepts of beauty, identity and body image.
The work, captured over more than a decade, reveals Davis’ journey of self-reflection and self-discovery that speaks to broader issues surrounding image and beauty.
“I aim to raise questions regarding beauty, desire, body image and identity through a focused observation of my personal story,” Davis said. “I have built a relationship between the camera and myself where I transform the act of taking a photograph into a performance for the camera. Many of my pictures take place in my home, revealing aspects of myself that are private and personal.
“My work is partially based on personal experiences that I have re-constructed into a photograph, and the other part consists of made up fantasies of what I imagine a physical relationship to be regarding intimacy, love and desire,” Davis said.
An opening reception with Davis will be held Wednesday, Jan. 31 from 5 to 8 p.m. at JKCG, located in MCCC’s Trenton Hall, 137 North Broad Street, Trenton. Jen Davis will be on hand to discuss her work from 5 to 8 p.m. Visit mccc.edu/jkcgallery for gallery hours.
The cover image for Jen Davis’ book, “Eleven Years,” published in 2014.,
