Jillian Marie Browning new exhibit at Albany Museum of Art
ALBANY, Ga. – The Albany Museum of Art unveils its latest exhibit, offering residents a unique opportunity to experience a diverse collection of work.
The exhibit features Jillian Marie Browning, an Assistant Professor of Photography at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, showcasing her intricate and thought-provoking pieces.
“Maybe not exactly what you think because people think about photography and they think that it’s imagery except printed on paper. My work I would say textural, it’s a little bit maybe visceral at some points. Have an open mind when you look at it. It’s artwork about a personal experience,” said Jillian Marie Browning, UAB Assistant Professor.
Browning, an interdisciplinary artist, explores themes of feminism, identity, and the contemporary black experience in her art.
“I make my art and I’m very unapologetic about what it’s about and why I make it and I make it to show it. I don’t make work to sell it I make work to show it, to have artists talks, to have conversations with people about it,” said Browning.
Her creations are intended to inspire, foster connections, and make viewers feel welcome.
“For me, it was specifically because I did not see a lot of people who liked me. Making art like that was a big thing. I was going to school for art. I was one of maybe two other black people total in my art program. I didn’t have faculty that were showing me any other artist that looked like me at all. And, so, I was doing this independent research. I was going to museums and finding other artist. There is a space for me because I’ve found this other artist, it looks like me, and they made a space. You know, I show my work in lots of galleries and museums and I want people to walk into that space and be like, okay, this person looks like me or has the same experience as me. They are even from the same place that I am, and I can also be in that space too.” said Browning.
Browning also shared a message of encouragement for aspiring artists, emphasizing the importance of finding personal meaning and connection through artistic expression.
“Keep going. And I know that’s like a really corny thing to say, but I want to quit every single day of graduate school. I was just bawling every day. Like, “I hate this.” Figure out how to persevere, but you have to keep doing it. And, also don’t change who you are. I very much could have changed the trajectory of my art, which I may not even be who I am right now. If I had decided to do something else and it was very important to me to do the work that I was making and I’m very happy that I stuck to my guns. And, I continue to do that and to be very unapologetic about it,” said Browning.
The exhibit will remain open until January 4th 2025.
De’Andra Jacobs reporting.
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