NEW YORK, NY – Chelsea’s Agora Gallery will feature the original work of Jenna Rose Simon in Spring Awakenings. The exhibition opens April 28, 2018 and runs through May 18,  2018 with an opening reception on Thursday, May 3 from 6-8 pm. Any art lover who enjoys thought-provoking artworks and meeting talented and interesting artists is encouraged to attend.

About the Artist

Artist Jenna Rose Simon uses graphite on paper to create evocative and emotionally layered self-portraits. As a result of her sexual assault as a child, the artist has battled chronic anorexia, the psychological scars and physical repercussion of which she probes in her work. The tonal grey palette, blank backgrounds, and writing compositions of her emotive drawings convey the internal demons and external anxieties with which Simon struggles, but her highly personal experiences are made universally relatable.

In Every Touch Leaves a Mark and Alone, Simon reveals the bitter struggle of an assault survivor. Fearful and fragile, the artist depicts her own contorted and anguished body as a site of transgression. Simon’s To Let You In, or Not is a visual manifestation of emotional baggage, the artist donning a literal mask to shield her real self from the world. Meanwhile, Security is a self-portrait in which the artist grips a teddy bear, a disembodied reminder of love. In her drawing titled You Are Loved, the artist depicts a simple act of self-care in the form of an iPhone reminder. Utilizing a colorful palette, the artist makes visible the small, everyday acts that contribute to healing. Finally, in You Can Find Love Anywhere the artist draws a widely-smiling face with binoculars, a beach paradise reflected in the lenses. The playful composition is a heartening reminder of the powers of inner strength and personal growth.  

Exhibition Dates: April 28 - May 18, 2018

Reception: Thursday May 3, 2018 6-8 PM

Gallery Hours: Tues-Sat 11:00am – 6:00pm

Gallery Location: 530 West 25th Street, New York, NY

Event URL: https://www.agora-gallery.com/artistpage/Jenna_Rose_Simon.aspx

Featured Artists:

Spring Awakenings

Jerry Anderson | Maria Beykirch | Abigail Custis | Lizzy Forrester | Nancy Holleran | Maribel Matthews | Margit Enggaard Poulsen | Becky Sungja Kim | Jenna Rose Simon

About the Exhibition

Spring Awakenings

Spring Awakenings features recent works from nine emerging artists working in painting, drawing, and mixed media. These artists offer fresh insight into established subjects, imbuing the traditions of portraiture, landscape, and still life with a renewed sense of wonder and excitement. The works on view present new worlds in which the everyday is transformed and conventional ways of interpreting the world are disrupted.

About Agora Gallery

Agora Gallery is a contemporary fine art gallery located in the heart of Chelsea’s fine art district in New York. Established in 1984, Agora Gallery specializes in connecting art dealers and collectors with national and international artists. The art gallery’s expert consultants are available to assist corporate and private clients in procuring original artwork to meet their organization’s specific needs and budget requirements. With a strong online presence and popular online gallery, ARTmine, coupled with the spacious and elegant physical gallery space, the work of our talented artists, who work in diverse media and styles, can receive the attention it deserves. Over the years Agora Gallery has sponsored and catered to special events aimed at fostering social awareness and promoting the use of art to help those in need.