Meet The Artist
Jennifer Noda
Jennifer resides in the Washington D.C. area near her studio and gallery at the Torpedo Factory Arts Center in Alexandria, VA. Her career as a 3-Dimensional artist began as a dancer and choreographer. She graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a BFA in Dance and received her MA Choreography at Trinity Laban Conservatoire in London.
After sustaining injuries during her career of dancing, choreographing, and teaching, she began to look for alternative ways to be creative that were not so taxing on her body. She currently uses a combination of mediums (Paper, wood, and clay) and techniques which produce her own style. Her movement background is reflected in her current work in terms of line, flow and balance, and also the use of an experimental creative process.
Jennifer’s initial creative experiment resulted in her Magazine Ring and Magazine Pen. For these functional pieces, she shapes layers of up-cycled magazine paper to form a ring or a pen. The process involved results in a layered pattern similar to that of a wood grain. Each piece is unique and cannot be replicated.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Jennifer experienced the loss of her mother, and struggled to make sense of the world while processing her grief. She found comfort in nature, as well as inspiration. Once again Jennifer turned to her creativity and produced three new collections: The Calligraphy Collages, Pandemic Panels, and the Reflective Shadow Boxes. All are on display in her gallery at the Torpedo Factory Art Center.
Jennifer believes strongly in giving back and regularly donates a percentage of her proceeds to charity One Tree Planted which focuses on reforestation.
Words Of Wisdom For Students From The Artist
Don't be afraid to experiment and fail. That experiment will emerge somewhere in your art later on. It will likely be the detail or concept that sets you apart from other artists.
The Artist’s Thoughts
The main inspiration for my work comes from Shinrin-Yoku, the Japanese term meaning ‘Forest Bathing’, or taking in the forest atmosphere for health and wellness benefits. The experience of being in nature is truly at the heart of my creative process. It helps me find inspiration both in the physical form and also as a tool to process my ideas as they come to mind. Spending time in nature helps me filter and organize my ideas into other forms. It is my intent that the viewer of my work will see their own personal connections within it.
The Artist’s Works
Fountain Magazine Pen, Magazine Ring
The Artist’s Thoughts
My signature style magazine pen and magazine ring was grown from the creative challenge to use up-cycled materials in my work and also as a way of phasing out the use of exotic woods. Layers of magazine paper are shaped to reveal a final product that is one of a kind. All magazine products are sealed to a hard glossy finish for everyday wear and tear.
Calligraphy Collages
The Artist’s Thoughts
I started this series in the winter of 2020-21 amid the second wave of the Covid-19 Pandemic. As a way of processing the past year I wrote down every word that had made its way into our vocabulary. Everything from 6 feet apart to social distance to virtual learning and toilet paper! I used calligraphy to write them jumbled about and layered on top of each other...as they seemed to be in my head. I had no plan for what to do with the calligraphy, but found myself cutting them up as words I did not want to hear again on a daily basis. What resulted next was my effort to make order out of chaos and put them back together again in a form of renewal.
Pandemic Panels
The Artist’s Thoughts
These panels were made with upcycled wood and layers of wood stain. As the wood for the panels was previously used for another purpose, they have different characteristics which have informed the flow of the stain. The choice to use upcycled wood was to remain environmentally sustainable as well as in response to supply chain issues and shortages. Finished with an eco-friendly sealer that provides UV ray protection to prevent fading with zero VOC’s.
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