ARTIST STATEMENT

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"The key to abstraction is in diligent observation." - Lari Pittman

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I have always been fascinated with shape, form and color. From early childhood to my teens it was hard for me to discern ways that my natural talents could be used in a professional career. Since these skills were easily adapted to hair and make-up, I followed that career path in Toronto, Canada. It took me far. I worked in film, print, and television. However, it became clear that my job, was to turn women into objects. This began to seriously grate on me as my career progressed, and then I began to skydive.

As a professional skydiver, it became glaringly obvious that being a woman in a male dominated sport was a challenge. Women had to find a way to curry favor with the men. I found much of it detestable. Many men were overtly sexist, not all, but many. I began asking myself why?

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I am a multi-disciplinary artist who produces ethnographic images, 3D virtual installations, and video focusing on skydiving, and the culture within the sport. Much of my work discusses the validity of skydiving as an actual sport, as well as highlighting the challenges, often from a women’s perspective.

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BIOGRAPHY

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Born Jennifer Montreuil, Gen, (changed to reflect her philosophy as a Taoist), in St. Catharines, Ontario Canada. Gen has been working creatively since childhood. Always fascinated with the human form, her first outlet for her creativity was in the field of hair and makeup. She gained a reputation as a talented and creative hair stylist, which eventually took her to America’s Film Industry Oscar Ceremonies.

She is a multi-disciplinary artist who produces ethnographic images, 3D virtual installations, and video focusing on skydiving, and the culture within the sport. Much of her work discusses the validity of skydiving as an actual sport, as well as highlighting the challenges, often from a women’s perspective.

Gen completed an Honors Associates Degree from Central Arizona College in Fine and Studio Arts and a Double Major Baccalaureate in Fine Arts with Honors at Arizona State University majoring in Intermedia Arts and Painting.

She now resides in Eloy, Arizona at Skydive Arizona with her dog Odo. She works part-time as a skydiving videographer/photographer and continues to do hair at Stephanie Alderete Studio in Casa Grande.