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Will Jacks, Joshua Tree - San Bernardino County, California (detail)
Wheatpasted photo-collage on wood, 96'' by 96' |
Due to popular demand, artist Will Jacks’ striking exhibition of photo-collages has been prolonged for an
additional week at the Birmingham Public Library. The exhibition opened on
May 3 and will be on display in the Fourth Floor Gallery at downtown’s Central Library through Friday, June 28.
Earlier this month, Jacks was honored with a fellowship from the
Alabama State Council on the Arts, which it awards to outstanding individual artists
and arts educators in Alabama to provide support for the creative growth of their careers.
Rabbit, rabbit is Jacks’ first solo show in Birmingham and represents the first time the 22 featured works
have been exhibited.
Joshua Tree - San Bernardino County, California is the largest photo-collage in the exhibition. Almost reaching
the ceiling, it makes a magnificent impression as one enters the Fourth Floor Gallery from the Central
Library’s third floor.
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Will Jacks’Joshua Tree - San Bernardino County, California |
as seen from across the Fourth Floor Gallery
While ascending the staircase up to the gallery, the visitor has the chance to view the piece first from afar
and then closer up (see the first image), thus appreciating a double perspective of the photo-collage in a
very short space of time. Jacks describes part of the process he uses to create this type of “double
perspective”…
“Scale is achieved by collaging smaller prints together to form a larger collective. Edges are misaligned—
from a distance, they appear to connect perfectly, but upon closer examination, their imperfections emerge.
Lines are askew, pieces overlap and overwhelm one another, and patterns break down. Yet, they hold their
projection if you stand far enough away."
This distinguishing quality may be observed in all the works on display in rabbit, rabbit. If you haven’t yet
visited Jacks’ impressive show or would like to experience it again, please stop by the Central Library
between now and next Friday, June 28. The exhibition is free and open to the public.
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Will Jacks, A Snake in the Pole Barn - Bolivar County, Mississippi
Wheatpasted photo-collage on wood, paint, 24” x 48 |
About the Artist
Will Jacks is a proc
ess artist best known for his photographic work. He also incorporates explorations with
land, objects, sound, video, and community engagement into his practice. His research examines the
blurred areas between art and journalism, individual and collective, and the impact of each on the other.
Jacks’ first monograph documents the juke-joint
Po’ Monkey’s Lounge,
which serves as a prism for examining cultural tourism and preservation and the complexities prevalent in
both. It was published by University Press of Mississippi in October of 2019, and for this work Jacks was
recognized by the
Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters for
outstanding achievement in photography. In 2020 he completed an MFA in Studio Art from the Maine
College of Art, followed by an MA in Journalism from the University of Mississippi in 2021.
Jacks is an Assistant Professor of Art / Photography at Troy University.
By Margaret Splane| Library Assistant III, Community Engagement & Fundraising
Will Jacks, No Trespassing - Marshall County, Mississippi
Wheatpasted photo-collage on wood, paint, 24” x 72”
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