“The Circus II” by J.Renee

About This Show

The Auntie Karen Foundation facilitated a groundbreaking partnership with the celebrated artist J’Renee, unveiling an extraordinary exhibition titled “The Circus II” at the Koger Center for the Arts. J’Renee’s artistic oeuvre transcends boundaries, skillfully capturing the essence of New Orleans through thought-provoking images that touch upon social justice, history, and folklore. Her reverse glass paintings feature tropical Gauguin-inspired figures amidst poignant scenes such as cemeteries, second lines, ironwork, flood wreckage, and rescue helicopters–a testament to her deep-rooted love for the city and its cultural fabric.

Graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Xavier University in 1989 under the mentorship of the esteemed artist and MacArthur Foundation recipient John Scott, J’Renee’s artworks reflect a blend of mixed media incorporating photo clippings, offering unexpectedly realistic dimensions to her compositions. Displaced by Hurricane Katrina, like many, J’Renee found solace in Columbia, SC, where she has held solo exhibitions at esteemed galleries like Ponder Gallery and the McKenna Museum of African American Art in New Orleans.

This collaboration between the Auntie Karen Foundation and the visionary artist J’Renee is an integral part of The Auntie Karen Legends of…Outreach initiative in conjunction with the esteemed Legends of…Concert Series, fostering cultural enrichment and community engagement.

This exhibit is installed on the red wall in the main lobby of the Koger Center.