Jennifer Bain

Birds hold deep significance across a multitude of cultures, religions, and traditions, symbolizing various concepts such as freedom, nobility, fertility, and courage. Often regarded as messengers of the divine, they traverse air, sea, and land, effortlessly soaring into the heavens and returning to the earth—an ability unique to them among creatures. The image of a bird in flight serves as a compelling metaphor for liberation from restrictive patterns and ingrained perceptions. By reinterpreting these ancient associations with birds in a contemporary abstract framework, I strive to reinforce these profound themes. The birds embody potential for elevation, acting as a bridge between the tangible and the spiritual realms. To achieve this, I create various abstract backgrounds that place birds in unfamiliar contexts. In this interplay between abstraction and realistic representations of avian figures, I symbolically examine themes like freedom versus structure, while also suggesting adaptability and transition. In my fluid wash series, I employ inks to form botanical shapes, layering them to evoke imaginative compositions. The interplay of negative space adds an element of openness or void, enhancing the overall composition. Once the botanical elements are established, I incorporate realistic birds into the scene, all within a minimalistic setting where the negative space becomes a focal point for introspection. This unembellished area, devoid of overt imagery, may hint at a d

Jennifer Bain is a painter whose work is profoundly influenced by spirituality, nature, and their interplay with contemporary art. Her journey into the concept of art as a spiritual pursuit began at The Rudolph Steiner School in New York City, a renowned institution celebrated for its arts-focused curriculum and mystical philosophies. Initially, Bain sought a blend of creativity and practicality, earning an A.A. degree in Fashion Design and achieving success in that sector. Nevertheless, her yearning for deeper artistic exploration prompted her to return to academia, culminating in a B.F.A. from The California College of the Arts in 1982, followed by an M.F.A. in painting from the San Francisco Art Institute in 1985. For a decade, Bain resided in a former paint factory, fostering connections with a vibrant community of artists, musicians, dancers, playwrights, and street performers. This environment encouraged her active participation in numerous group exhibitions in nonprofit spaces. Since becoming a full-time artist in 1994, Bain has dedicated her practice to creating art in series, delving into diverse painting styles that encompass both abstract and narrative forms. Her artwork has been exhibited in prestigious contemporary galleries across the U.S., Asia, and the Middle East. Her pieces are part of private and corporate collections, as well as being featured in healing environments such as The Mayo Clinic, Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health, UCLA, San Francisco General.

2-D, Collage/Mixed Media, Painting (all materials), Printmaking/Lithography