Join us on Thursday, August 1 at noon for a virtual artist talk with Jay Katelansky to discuss her creative journey and current projects, including her exhibition in Moore's Alumni Gallery, on view from July 20 through September 28.
Katelansky's You've Been on My Mind is a poem of objects that uses Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” as a vehicle to explore universal heartbreak and the care required during and after turbulent times. Originally an anthem for personal resilience, "I Will Survive" found new meaning during the AIDS epidemic, it was a ballad of resilience for the queer community-for those suffering and for those watching their loved ones suffer.
In recent years, Katelansky has contemplated this anthem on a global scale amidst events like Covid-19, the Black uprisings, and conflicts in Palestine. It has also resonated with the artist during personal struggles such as friend breakups, chronic illness woes, and periods of personal growth. Jay believes that, as a society, most (if not all) of us can relate to experiences of heartbreak—whether through romantic relationships, friendships, or watching war unfold while government/s fail/s to take action.
Amidst this/these heartbreak/s, the artist also reflects on those who care deeply, the ones who ensure that we: rise each morning, nourish ourselves, take our medication, and who offer words of love precisely when we need them most.
"To anyone experiencing heartbreak right now, I want you to know that I am thinking of you and I love you. You are infinite." – Jay Katelansky
Katelansky is an interdisciplinary artist who explores the intersections of identity and space with an emphasis on how Black bodies navigate and negotiate safety in the United States. Central to Katelansky's practice is an exploration of text and literature, which underpins her creative process whether overtly present or subtly woven into her works. Drawing inspiration from craft, sounds, and poetry, as well as everyday objects like billboards that reshape their environments, she is particularly drawn to the historical and contemporary impacts of disco on queer and Black communities. Through this work, the artist invites viewers to reconsider familiar narratives and spaces, offering a nuanced perspective that resonates beyond the visual into profound questions of belonging and resilience. Katelansky holds a BFA from Moore College of Art & Design and MA & MFA degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she currently lives and works in Maryland.
Join us in celebration of Jay's work during the 2024 Alumni Biennial Juried Exhibition Closing Reception and Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony on Friday, August 23rd. Learn more and register here.
Image: Jay Katelansky '13, Banner for Survival 3 (detail), 2023, jacquard woven tapestry, glass beads, silk organza, sequins and Mylar fringe, 78 x 68 inches. Courtesy of the artist. Image: Jim Escalante.
