Tenesh Webber
Canada
17 Works exhibited on Kooness
Current location
Jersey City, New Jersey
Represented by
Categories
Works by Tenesh Webber
Tenesh Webber is a Canadian abstract photographer whose work explores and challenges conventions of traditional black and white photography.
She lives in Jersey City, New Jersey and works in Bushwick, Brooklyn.
Education
Webber studied at the Emily Carr University of Art + Design in Vancouver, and at OCAD University, in Toronto, where she received an AOCA Degree.
Technique
Tenesh Webber has, over the past 25 years, worked in either large scale/mural size prints; manipulated the photographs in the darkroom, or manipulated the negatives in the camera.
Her current photography, which focuses on medium-scale photograms, continues her explorations of the medium. The prints are medium scale, 11"x11", or 20"x20"
Webber's process begins with sketches, in which she develops the image ideas. She then creates two-dimensional objects out of sewing thread, or marker on plexiglass. She builds the images through layering, stretching and cutting the thread, and through repetitive line drawing onto plexiglass.
These "plates" are used to create cameraless photographic images.
Hand placement and loose threads offer an element of chance into the work, and each print within a series is unique.
The resulting abstract images create rhythmic, intuitive compositions and offer tension between the organic and rectilinear.
They suggest macro and micro views of nature, or of the man-made.
Inspiration
Webber studied with Canadian artists Ian Wallace and Eldon Garnet who were early innovators in experimental photography, in the 1970's, introducing large-scale and sequential imagery into their photography practice. She was inspired by these artists, to develop her own approach to working with the medium, leading to explorations in scale and alternative photographic processes, including her current work with photograms.
Her photography is also influenced and inspired by the work of a long history of photographers, painters and sculptors working in abstraction.
These include, Richard Serra's bold oil stick drawings, Barry Le Va's arrangements of geometric form, and Agnes Martin's delicate minimal process.
Her work falls within a tradition of "rayographs", or photograms, established by artists such as Man Ray, and Laszlo Moholy-Nagy, in the 1920's, artists whose work in photography was informed by their painting and sculptural practice.
Building on these artists work, Webber has developed a unique approach to the creation of her photograms, integrating elements of sculpture and drawing while also incorporating chance operations.
Collections
Webber's work is featured in public and private collections including the Brooklyn Museum and Barclays Bank, NY.
Exhibitions
Webber has exhibited her work nationally including solo exhibits at Yossi Milo Gallery and Margaret Thatcher Projects, NY. She has also exhibited in group shows in Europe.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2017
A.I.R. Gallery, Brooklyn, NY.
2015
Victory Hall Drawing Rooms, Jersey City, NJ.
2002
Yossi Milo Gallery, NY. NY.
Howard Yezerski Gallery, Boston, Ma.
2000
Art Resources Transfer Inc, NY. NY.
1999
Margaret Thatcher Projects, NY. NY.
1997
Art Resources Transfer Inc, NY. NY.
1995
A.I.R. Gallery, NY. NY.
1993
Mercer Union, Toronto, Canada
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2018
Not of This World -Transcending Reality in Photography, Rick Wester Fine Art, NY. NY.
Salon des Réalités Nouvelles, Parc Floral de Paris, Paris, France
Explorations of Line, (3 person exhibit), Garrison Art Center, Garrison, NY.
New Jersey State Council Exhibit, Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, Millville, NJ.
2017
Intercontinental Line, Abstract Project, Paris, France
Wish You Were Here 16, A.I.R. Gallery, Brooklyn, NY.
Interference, Bullet Space, NY. NY.
Seeking Space, (Bushwick Open Studios), Beyond Studios, Brooklyn, NY.
2016
Members Invitational, New York Artists Equity Gallery, NY, NY.
Reunion, QuadArt Dornbirn, Dornbirn, Austria
Seeking Space: Making The Future, David and Schweitzer Contemporary, Brooklyn, NY.
Passing Through, Schema Projects, Brooklyn, NY.
Original Copy, SPRING//BREAK Art Show, NY. NY Curated by Sarah G. Sharp and Parsley Steinweiss
Wish You Were Here: 15, Interstate Projects, Brooklyn, NY.
2015
The Big Small Show, Victory Hall Drawing Rooms, Jersey City, NJ.
Minimax, Bullet Space, NY. NY.
Sanctus, Curious Matter, Jersey City, NJ. (Catalogue)
The ESKFF Residency Program: Selections, Gallery 5 at Mana Contemporary, Jersey City, NJ.
On Paper, weathervane, Brooklyn, NY.
Making History, Storefront Ten Eyck Gallery, Brooklyn, NY.
2014
D(raw), Bullet Space, NY. NY. Curated by Alexandra Rojas
100 Valentines, Kenise Barnes Fine Art, Larchmont, NY.
2013
In Form, 24 - 6 - Space, NY. NY.
2012
Arcadia Now, Jersey City University, New Jersey, Curated by Tom McGlynn (Catalogue)
2011
The Hatchery: East of Fresno, Badger, California
Wrong Place for the Right People, Bullet Space, NY. NY. Curated by Andrew Castrucci
Arcadia Now, Castleton State College, Castleton, Vermont
2010
Floral, Photo Place Gallery, Middlebury, Vermont, Curated by Sally Apfelbaum, (Catalogue)
The Perfect Crime, Bullet Space, NY. NY.
2009
Kuf Mold, Rotterdam, Holland, Curated by Suzan Batu, and Bill Doherty (Catalogue)
“Paterson: The P rovence of the Poem/The City as Metaphor ”, Ben Shahn Galleries, William Paterson University, Paterson, NJ. Curated by Nancy Einreinhofer
2008
The History Show, Minus Space, Brooklyn, NY , Curated by Kat Griefen and Dena Muller
To Square, Light, Signal G alleri, Malmo, Sweden, Curated by Fredrik Strid Kuf - mold, Gallerji Jan Colle, Ghent, Belgium, (Catalogue)
2007
Lateral Attitudes, RVC College, Somerville, NJ., (Catalogue)
2006
(K)nots, N.J. City University, Jersey City, NJ, (Catalogue)
Deck The Walls , John Cleary Gallery, Houston, Texas, Curated by Catherine Courtier
Northener Obscura, Gallery 101, Houston, Texas
The Natural Wor ld, PhotoNewburgh, Newburgh, NY , Curated by Andrew Garn
Wish You Were Here 3, A.I.R. Gallery, NY. NY.
Seid Show, Gerber Seid Fine Arts, NY. NY.
2005
Deck The Walls, John Cleary Gallery, Houston, Texas, Curated by Catherine Couturier
Northerner Obscura, Gallery 101, Houston, Texas
2004
The Natural World, PhotoNewburgh, Newburgh, NY, Curated by Andrew Garn
Wish You Were Here 3, A.I.R. Gallery, NY. NY.
Seid Show, Gerber Seid Fine Arts, NY. NY.
2003
A Decade in Review: The Fellowship Program, AIR Gallery, NY. NY.
Salon, Gerber Seid Fine Art, NY. NY.
07300 too, Jersey City, NJ., Curated by Rocio Aranda - Alvarado
2002
Chicago Art Fair, Chicago, Ill.
Salon, Stanhope Hotel, NY. NY., Curated by Leslie Gerber - Seid
2001
Fifty by Ten, Gerber - Seid Fine Arts, NY. NY.
2000
2000 Annos Luz, Galeria Leyendecker, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain Curated by Angel Luis de la Cruz, ( Catalogue)
Collectors Edge, N.J Center for Visual Arts, Summit, NJ., Curated by Calvin Reid
1998
What's on The Wall? Margaret Thatcher Projects, NY. NY.
Summer Group Show, The Vedanta Gallery, Chicago, Illinois
The Tip of The Iceberg, Fred Dorfman Projects, N.Y. N.Y., Curated by Bill Bartman
25 Years of A.I.R., Kingsborough Community College, Brooklyn, NY.
Selected Photography, Kougeas Gallery, Boston MA.
1997
ART Santa Fe, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Photography Exhibit, Kougeas Gallery, Boston Ma.
Generations: 25th Anniversary Show, A.I.R. Gallery, NY. NY.
Home, Bullet Space, NY. NY. Curated by Andrew and Paul Castrucci
1996
Living It, 14E. 4th Street, Apt #1118, NY. NY.
Viewfinder, Bronx River Art Center, Curated by A mir Bey
1995
Tarrazona Foto, Tarrazona, Spain, (Catalogue)
Arco 95, Madrid, Spain, Curated by Angel Luis de la Cruz, (Catalogue)
Digitas, Jack Tilton Gallery, NY. NY.
1994
Smart Art, Printed Matter Inc, NY. NY., Curated by Max Schumann
Gallery Grou p Show, A.I.R. Gallery, NY. NY.
All Out, Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY.
1993
A.I.M. Exhibition, The Bronx Museum of The Arts, Bronx, NY. Curated by Lydia Yee and Marisol Nieves (Catalogue)
Night of 1000 Drawings, Artist's Space, NY. NY.
1992
A.I.R. Invitational, A.I.R. Gallery, NY. NY.
1991
Evocation, Home for Contemporary Theatre and Art, NY. NY.
Selections, Center for Book Arts, NY. NY.
1989
CHINA: June 4..., P.S. 1 Museum, L.I.C., NY. Curated by the Asian American Art Center
The P rintshop Comes of Age, The LES Printshops 21st Anniversary, La Mama Gallery, NY. NY.
Wom en's Work, Bullet Space, NY. NY. (Catalogue)
If You lived Here ..., Dia Art Foundation, NY. NY. A Project by Martha Rosler
2010
Moynihan, Colin, A Tenement Transformed Tells the Lives of Its Squatters, The New York Times, January 29, 2010
2007
Kuf Mold Catalogue, Gallery In The Old Bedesten. Istanbul, Turkey
Lateral Attitudes, RVC College, Somerville, NJ. Cover image
2004
Birmingham, Mary,” Jersey Girls Exhibit”, Jersey Journal, Oct 30, 2004
2002
Johnson, Ken, Art Listings, The New York Times, July 5, 2002
Review, The New Yorker, July 15, 2002
McQuaid, Cate, The Boston Globe, August 2, 2002
1999
Lombardi, D.Dominick, Communicating Through Photographs, The New York Times, October 29, 1999
The New York Contemporary Art Report, May - June
Rothbart, Daniel, Review, NY Arts Magazine, June, 1999
1997
Millis, Christopher, "Off The Street", The Boston Phoenix, May 30, Boston, Ma.
Listings Se ction, Illustration, ArtsMEDIA Magazine, June, Boston, Ma.
1993
Parallelogramme, National Non - Profit Artists' Centre's, Canada
1990
Raynor, Vivien, "Sallies Fly at a Bronx Gallery", The New York Times, November 4, NY. NY.
1990
Hoffman, Randi, "Art on The Edge", Downtown Magazine, January
1989
Levin, Kim, "Open Doors", The Village Voice, November, N.Y. N.Y.
1988
Reid, Calvin, "Art Arrives at The End Of The World ", Downtown Magazine, NY.
1993
Long News In The Short Century, NY. NY.
1989
World War III Magazine, NY. NY.
1988
ABC No Rio Magazine, ABC No Rio, NY. NY.
2015
Sustainable Arts Foundation Award, San Francisco, CA.
ESKFF Residency at Mana Contemporary, Jersey City, NJ
2008
The Canada Council, Travel Grant, Ottawa, Canada
2006
Change Inc., Grant, NY. NY.
1993
Weinroth Fellowship, A.I.R. Gallery, NY. NY.
1993
A.I.M. Program, Bronx Museum
1992
The Canada Council, Project Grant, Ottawa, Canada
1989
Fellowship, Art Matters Inc, NY. NY.
1989
Grant, Artists Space, NY. NY.
1988
Grant, Artists Space, NY. NY.