BIO
JENNIFER JEAN OKUMURA, Painter Optimistic, In the NOW, provocative in a decorous way—these terms characterize me as an artist. Art and its ability to elevate people inspire me every day. On some level, art is life—my life. Artists stand on the shoulders of our predecessors, capturing the moment of today while embracing the past. As practicing artists, we are in tune with the activity of those, both past and present, who push the envelope to the maximum of what is defined as art. With that said, I love this poem by Jorge Luis Borges (from “Dreamtigers”), especially the line “Art must be like that mirror, that reveals to us this face of ours.” I hope my works reveal this essence. A hapa who grew up in Philadelphia and has been creating art for over 15 years, I attended Syracuse University and received my MFA from Boston University. Art and being an artist are therapy for me, not just physically but psychologically and spiritually. Mine NOW reflects my dual Buddhist-Catholic heritage. In my work, I am frequently exploring the relationship between humans, nature, and objects. I think of art as an objective homage to my Eastern and Western traditions and to the raw architecture and sounds of the city—adding conflict, balance, and harmony to shape my work’s form and energy in my constant search for new noise and passion.

ARTITIC STATEMENT
She has a strong comprehensive knowledge of the Art Market: Modern and Contemporary Art with diverse and extensive Fine Art experiences such as Operations Manager, Fine Art Consultant, Design Associate, Adjunct Educator at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and currently sits on the board as President and founding Exhibition Chair for National Association of Women Artists, Inc. MA chapter. Selected exhibitions include 'Contemporary Surroundings' at Sapphire & Ventura Gallery, Swiss Art Expo Zurich 2020, Van Der Plas Gallery, Red Dot Miami, ‘Harmony & Clash’ at Multicultural Arts Center, Cambridge, 'Earned: Women in Business & Labor' Scollay Square Gallery, Boston, 'Botanica' (poster child) at Cahoon Museum of American Art, 'Breaking Ground' at Walter J. Manninen Center for the Arts, Endicott College, ‘Les arrêts de la vie’ Solo exhibition at the French Cultural Center Boston, ‘Invoking the Muse’ at Coral Springs Museum of Art in FL, 'Strokes of Genius’ at Rockport Art Association & Museum, 'A Current Vision' at Whistler House Museum of Art and 'Visual Contrasts' at Coral Springs Museum Art. Featured works in The Vendue Art Hotel, MA State Senate [Sen. Will Brownsberger], Four Seasons, Kayak, Boston Consulting Group, Boston College Office of Marketing Communications, Morgan Stanley, Acadian Asset, Worcester Polytechnic Institute Collection, Aetna Corp. Collection, & Private Collections. Press include MiA Mag V. 5 2021, International Contemporary Artists art book, vol. XII; BigScreen Plaza Manhattan; Artist Talk Magazine [Issue 11]; WhereBoston February ‘Romance Galleries’ 2019 Cover; American Art Review [Vol. XX VII No. 5]; Kivo Daily; Thrive Global, Disrupt Magazine. https:// youtu.be/uxYwUS8aSJs Represented by: House of Roulx, Saphira & Ventura Gallery NYC, Westport River Gallery CT, Invoke Contemporary, Galatea Fine Art, @theartling. Okumura has exhibited in Swiss Art Expo ZÜRICH 2020, upcoming Art Metropole Europe Barcelona, Spain in 2021.