Jenna Pirello received her MFA in Painting from Yale University in 2014 and her BFA from Boston University in 2011. For her newest body of work, “Inside Out” and “Operator”, Pirello transitions between acrylic paint, gouache and silkscreen to meditate on the concept of “home” and on what it is to be grounded in a foundation. The intimate practice of making and viewing - this includes the importance of the lyrics, the rhythms, the sounds she listens to while creating - continue to play a big role in Pirello’s creative process. In this new work, all created during this past year, she grounded her practice in repeated compositions, focusing on color relationships and tonal shifts. This was a deep dive into the process of image making. Also new to this body of work is Pirello’s self-made frames. These frames expand the surface on which she can play with material, color and mood. This carefully crafted element can also be said to contain the work, as barriers - whether a tarp or sheetrock - might create the walls that make up a home or a grouping of rocks might make up a foundation. Each piece in the exhibit dates from this past chaotic year.
