In 2023, Jess Ackerman emerged as a notable artist through successful solo shows in San Francisco and Portland, showcasing their unique still life style. Their work, rich in color and emotion, mirrors the complex experiences of their year, including significant life changes and a gender-affirming surgery amid insurance challenges. As Ackerman navigated their burgeoning career while processing personal transitions, they articulated that humor often serves as a means to cope with difficult situations, using their art as a conduit for understanding their past memories.
"The still lifes end up being memories, Ackerman told me at their studio in April; the paintings help them make sense of the recent past."
"So many people use humor to mask or get through things that are hard-that you don't maybe have time to process, like, presently, as it's happening to you."
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