WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., October 23, 2023– “Prā (prey/pray)” opens Wednesday, October 25th in the Nutting Gallery from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The exhibition opening includes a question-and-answer session with the artist at 6 p.m. The exhibition coincides with the release of his second photo book and follows a summer exhibition of his photographs in Arles, France. Copies of his newest photo book will be available for purchase at the exhibition opening for $65.00 or $55.00 for students. The exhibition runs from Oct 25th – Nov 16th.
Jesse Lenz earned a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design, from West Liberty University, in 2010. He is a photographer, multidisciplinary artist, and entrepreneur. As an illustrator, he has created images for the most well-respected publications around the world, including TIME, The New York Times Magazine, Newsweek, Rolling Stone, and many others. He is the founder and director of Charcoal Book Club, Charcoal Press, and the Chico Hot Springs Portfolio Review. From 2011-2018 he also co-founded and published The Collective Quarterly and The Coyote Journal. He lives on a farm in rural Ohio which provides rich subject matter for his work. A 2020 “photo news” feature from Vogue Italia about his first book “The Locusts,” can be viewed on their website (https://www.vogue.it/fotografia/gallery/the-locusts-jesse-lenz).
“The photography in this show documents someone in tune with their surroundings. He is exploring time, the land, and people at a slow and deep level. It is the type of focus on a place and the people that inhabit that space that artists like Andrew Wyeth focused on Chadds Ford, PA or photographer Charles “Teenie” Harris focused on Pittsburgh. Also, the printing of the work is based on traditional silver print photograph printing so the richness and details of the images is something that should be seen in person. said Brian Fencl, Professor of Art and Director of the Nutting Gallery. He continued by adding, “Jesse was incredibly ambitious as a student and we are excited about his well deserved success. For our current students to see someone that studied in the same studios they are working in, and to hear about his unique path to success should be inspiring. Having our alums return and share their work and insights with students is special.”
The Nutting Gallery is dedicated to educating, enriching, and engaging students and the public through art exhibitions of the highest quality. Fulfilling this mission through exhibitions during the academic year, the schedule includes exhibitions by visiting artists, two Senior Exhibitions, and the Annual Art Faculty Exhibition.
Located in WLU’s Fine Arts Building, the regular hours of the Nutting Gallery are 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Fridays, weekends, and other times are by arrangement only. Gallery events are open to the public and free to attend.
For more information, please contact Brian Fencl at bfencl@westliberty.edu.