“As Above, So Below” photographs hang in the front room of the Malibu City Gallery in “The Space Between” exhibition. Chaney said the pieces were shot on film. Photos by Lang Cooper
Tucked inside Malibu City Hall, photographer Jessie Chaney’s art exhibition explores themes of the connection between worlds. “The Space Between” opened Sept. 14 and will be on display through Oct. 23 in the Malibu City Gallery.
Growing up in Malibu, Chaney said she is thrilled to have her first solo exhibit open in her hometown. Made up of three series, “Spirit in the Sky,” “Memory of a Space” and “As Above, So Below,” the exhibition serves to tell the story of Chaney’s career in photography.
“I took my first photography class at Malibu High and I fell in love with photography the second that I developed my first roll of film in the dark room,” Chaney said. “Having my first solo show in my hometown, where I became a photographer and my artistic journey started in a lot of ways, is a beautiful full circle moment.”
About “The Space Between”
Graduating from Brown University in 2007 with degrees in photography and art history and earning a masters in photojournalism at The London College in 2012, Chaney credits her education as her inspiration and influence for her work.
“My studies of the practice, but also of art history, have really informed and shaped my own practice,” Chaney said. “I am inspired by those that have come before me on this path as an artist.”
Although each series in the exhibition showcases various themes, they are all woven together by the idea of the space between worlds. Chaney said it felt important for her to show her love of nature and the ocean being in Malibu.
“I’m always looking for energy, light and a feeling of vibration if that can be captured in a steel frame,” Chaney said. “Also, I love the kind of magic hour where it just feels that there is this beautiful connection between worlds, so that’s part of what ‘The Space Between’ is about.”
“Buried Alive” by Jessie Chaney hangs in the Malibu City Gallery on Sept. 28. As part of “The Memory of Space” series, the piece shows Chaney’s interest in highlighting desolate places.
Senior art major Fiona Hastings said she admires the exhibit’s focus on nature. As she often paints nature herself, Hastings said she finds the whimsy, energy and spirit of each piece inspiring to her own work.
“I really love this contrast between nature and also more man-made, manufactured items — like how she edited in the bright colors like the neon reds, oranges and blues in a really beautiful contrast,” Hastings said. “As an artist, it’s so inspiring to see that element of lightness and intrinsic meaning behind her pieces.”
Working on “Memory of Space” for over 10 years, Chaney highlights the joy that can come from desolate places. She said she has never sought out such a place, but that the places always seem to find her on her various travels and adventures.
“It’s like a treasure hunt when you are there and finding these beautiful messages of hope, light, love or inspiration in these places where you would often least expect it,” Chaney said.
Hasting said this series is her favorite because of the intrigue that each piece creates and the storytelling she sees behind them.
“It all feels so beautifully taken, as if there isn’t a lot of editing,” Hastings said. “That added-in color and light I think really is an additional element of intrigue and makes me curious as to the meaning behind each piece.”
For junior Naomi Sheridan, an art and art history double major, the piece “You Are Exactly Where You Are Meant To Be” in the “Memory of Space” series is her favorite in the exhibition. As Sheridan loves to paint skies and oceans, she said the piece presents her with ideas to reflect upon.
“The quietly reserved parts like the muted color palette and the way the water is reflected really lures you into it,” Sheridan said.
In her most recent and current favorite series, “As Above, So Below,” Chaney shot the photos on film — the first medium of photography she used during her time at Malibu High.
The personal series has been a part of Chaney’s journey escaping grief and healing. The series premiered with the opening of the exhibition.
“It’s brought back this excitement for me again about the magic of photography and the mystery of shooting on film and not knowing what you’re going to get,” Chaney said. “It’s always a bit vulnerable to put out new work into the world as an artist, so I felt like being in Malibu where this all began felt like the appropriate place to do so.”
Chaney said she plans to continue exploring the themes of grief and healing as she hopes to develop “As Above, So Below” into a book.
Sheridan said she appreciates the authentic feel to Chaney’s work.
“I like how reserved and honest this artwork is,” Sheridan said. “It’s definitely saying something, but it’s also just beautiful. I feel like right now, it’s all about art having to make this huge statement or change the world somehow. What I like about these is she’s taking photos of these places while remaining very whole and authentic to how they are.”
Chaney advises the next generation of artists to follow their own passions, just as she has done. She said she will continue to make space for art and creativity in her life.
“Find what it is that you love, find your practice, your style, your niche, your thing,” Chaney said. “I believe everybody has their own unique gift on this planet, and so don’t worry about what it looks like or what other people are doing — just do you.”
This story was copy edited by Haylie Ross.
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Contact Lang Cooper via email: lang.cooper@pepperdine.edu