Valdosta National 2021 Juror and Judge's Statement
In 2020 so many of us had to wrestling technology into fulfilling our work, home and social life, thinning the already nearly invisible line between the virtual and the real. The arts, in most forms, are at a distinct advantage for online viewing as our digital technology is increasingly designed for enhanced visual experiences. But a virtual exhibition loses some of the communal intimacy, and the tactility of the 360-degree experience of a physical gallery, a familiar lack in a year spent in isolation and turmoil.
For the Valdosta National 2021—virtual by necessity—I sought to capture the intimacy of a physical show while acknowledging the unique circumstances of a digital space and the particularly bizarre specifics of 2020. Through articulations of small moments—considered self-portraits, arcane textures, ritual objects, a set table, the warmth of a body or the distinct loneliness of an empty room—the works of this collection of 66 artists navigate the heavy themes of 2020 including pandemic, racial and economic justice, personal trauma, and isolation alongside the powerful and often joyful presence of being in a myriad of identities and forms.
In 2020 so many of us had to wrestling technology into fulfilling our work, home and social life, thinning the already nearly invisible line between the virtual and the real. The arts, in most forms, are at a distinct advantage for online viewing as our digital technology is increasingly designed for enhanced visual experiences. But a virtual exhibition loses some of the communal intimacy, and the tactility of the 360-degree experience of a physical gallery, a familiar lack in a year spent in isolation and turmoil.
For the Valdosta National 2021—virtual by necessity—I sought to capture the intimacy of a physical show while acknowledging the unique circumstances of a digital space and the particularly bizarre specifics of 2020. Through articulations of small moments—considered self-portraits, arcane textures, ritual objects, a set table, the warmth of a body or the distinct loneliness of an empty room—the works of this collection of 66 artists navigate the heavy themes of 2020 including pandemic, racial and economic justice, personal trauma, and isolation alongside the powerful and often joyful presence of being in a myriad of identities and forms.
Juror & Judge: Claire Dempster
Claire Dempster is an Atlanta-based writer and arts administrator. She received her MA in Art History from the University of Georgia and holds a BA from the University of Texas at Austin. Her previous research explored monuments as they relate to national identity and mourning, while her current focus considers the influence of technology on the consumption and creation of visual culture. Her writings have appeared in publications including Art Papers and Burnaway. Having previously held fundraising and communications positions at The Woodruff Arts Center, she currently works for Burnaway Inc. As an arts administrator and fundraiser, she hopes to contribute to the radical transformation of art institutions as accessible resources for all communities.
Claire Dempster is an Atlanta-based writer and arts administrator. She received her MA in Art History from the University of Georgia and holds a BA from the University of Texas at Austin. Her previous research explored monuments as they relate to national identity and mourning, while her current focus considers the influence of technology on the consumption and creation of visual culture. Her writings have appeared in publications including Art Papers and Burnaway. Having previously held fundraising and communications positions at The Woodruff Arts Center, she currently works for Burnaway Inc. As an arts administrator and fundraiser, she hopes to contribute to the radical transformation of art institutions as accessible resources for all communities.