Art

Item Description

TITLE OF PIECE: 'Neuro Conduit Exploration'

INSPIRATION FOR THE PIECE - ARTIST NEUROSCIENTIST MATCH UP:

Jennifer Weihmann with the Branch Out funded project of Haley Vecchiarelli from the University of Calgary and the Hotchkiss Brain Institute. 

'Cannabis and Crohn's under the Microscope'

Haley Vecchiarelli is currently researching the role of endocannabinoids in the regulation of anxiety and inflammation. In my photograph I illustrate plant-based pharmaceuticals along with imagery exemplifying neural activity. I began by selecting an Aspen tree leaf scarred[AS1]  by hail damage to represent the inflammation caused by anxiety, and soaked it in water for several days in order to accentuate the rich colours and textures. The reddish-brown markings represent the scientific pathway and exploration of Haley’s work, neural activity, and the process of healing. I often allow my anxieties to take control; however, my artistic practice allows me to metaphorically communicate and release these anxieties. I am inspired by Haley’s work and, reflecting on this whole process, I feel satisfied with the many ways in which I managed to tie together numerous layers, from Haley’s scientific research to my own struggle with anxieties. This photograph is only the beginning of a series. I am further developing this concept, pushing boundaries artistically and conceptually.

ARTIST BIO:

Jennifer Weihmann is an artist, largely self-taught as a photographer. Originating in the rural setting of Grande Prairie, Alberta, Jennifer started her studio experience before formally entering the Faculty of Fine Arts at Grande Prairie Regional College.

Furthering her education in Communications, Visual Studies and Art History, Jennifer completed her studies at the Department of Communication, Media and Film, University of Calgary. 

Jennifer is best known as an abstract landscape and nature photographer, and generally does not photograph large scale landscapes. Instead she intimately immerses herself amongst the forest flora focusing on minimizing context and often leaving scale open for interpretation. Jennifer also collects organic objects from the natural environments she visits and uses these artifacts as the subject matter for many of her photographs. Many people have –accidentally– referred to her photographs as paintings–one of her favourite compliments!

Jennifer also has a body of work documenting the lives of people. She has a large body of work documenting her community at the Sunnyhill Housing Cooperative in Calgary, where she lived for seven years. Jennifer also photographed a group of adults, with whom she embedded herself, living on the streets of Houston Texas, and in Calgary Alberta, in 2005. 

Music and the performing arts are very important to Jennifer and she is often hired to photograph classical musicians during their music-making rehearsal sessions as well as rehearsals for various theatrical performances.