Lecturer Fine Art
Jessica Voorsanger is an American artist living in London. She studied at the Rhode Island School of Design (BFA) and Goldsmiths College (MA Fine Art), and has had one-person exhibitions in London, New York, Edinburgh, Berlin and Turin.
Bio
She has recently exhibited at the Whitechapel Art Gallery and has completed projects for Art on the Underground, Liverpool Football Club and Louis Vuitton.
Jessica's work explores the concept of 'celebrity' within popular culture; through obsession, fans and media representation. Until recently, it has dealt specifically with the relationship between celebrities and their 'fans', and the ideology of fan culture. She currently believes that the present overwhelming domination of 'reality TV' has changed the concept of celebrity, so that it no longer just describes 'people of talent' - but the notorious also.
Following this current line of enquiry, she explores the inter-changeability of celebrity with its audience through impostorism. She has created several installations ranging from a TV Studio (Whitechapel Art Gallery) to a Night Club (New Art Gallery, Walsall) where she invites the audience to participate in the work by dressing up in costumes of featured celebrities and sing. She has purposely selected celebrities she felt had earned their fame though their abilities - real celebrities.
Jessica Voorsanger works in a variety of media ranging from painting, sculpture, installation, mail art, film and performance. The projects themselves often dictate the medium that is most appropriate.
Jessica has an MA in Fine Art from Goldsmith's College.
Research statement
Jessica Voorsanger is an American artist living in London. She studied at the Rhode Island School of Design (BFA) and Goldsmiths College (MA Fine Art), and has had one-person exhibitions in London, New York, Edinburgh, Berlin & Turin. She has recently exhibited at the Whitechapel Art Gallery; and has completed projects for Art on the Underground, Liverpool Football Club and Louis Vuitton.
Jessica’s work explores the concept of 'celebrity' within popular culture; through obsession, fans and media representation. Until recently, it has dealt specifically with the relationship between celebrities and their 'fans', and the ideology of fan culture. She currently believes that the present overwhelming domination of ‘reality TV’ has changed the concept of celebrity, so that it no longer just describes ‘people of talent’ - but the notorious also.
Following this current line of enquiry, she explores the inter-changeability of celebrity with its audience through impostorism. She has created several installations ranging from a TV Studio (Whitechapel Art Gallery) to a Night Club (New Art Gallery, Walsall) where she invites the audience to participate in the work by dressing up in costumes of featured celebrities and sing. She has purposely selected celebrities she felt had earned their fame though their abilities - real celebrities.
Jessica Voorsanger works in a variety of media ranging from painting, sculpture, installation, mail art, film and performance. The projects themselves often dictate the medium that is most appropriate.
Further Information
Professional Membership, Affiliation and Consultancy
- 2008-2010: funding from the Whitechapel Art Gallery
- 2009: received funds from Kornhausen Gallerie, Germany
- 2008: ICA funding
- 2008: New Art Gallery, Walsall funds
- 2006: funding from the Serpintine Gallery, Hull Time Based Arts and Artists Links.