VIA LOCATION ONE
Ireland’s minister of state announced earlier today that Jesse Jones will represent the nation in the 2017 Venice Biennale. Jones will be collaborating with fellow Irish theater actress Olwen Fouéré in a performance piece that explores the idea of “national representation at Venice as an alternative site of the state.”
Jones’s work is focused on revealing hidden layers of discontent in modern society. In her latest piece, In the Shadow of the State, Jones depicts the control that legislative and judicial branches of the state hold over regulating the female body. By incorporating performance into her work, Jones attempts to build empathy in her audience through interactive artistic statements.
Commenting on her selection in a press statement, Jones said, “I am deeply honored to have been selected to represent Ireland at Venice and delighted to be working with Tessa on this project with whom I have had a long standing curatorial relationship. Venice represents one of the most important moment in an artist’s career. I am excited to rise to this challenge and create an exhibition that will stimulate debate on issues of urgent political and social relevance in Ireland and across the world.”