Artist: Jordan Dantzler
Exhibition Title:  Labor of Love
Exhibition Dates: April 1 - 5, 2024
Reception and Gallery Talk:  April 2, 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Artist's Statement

As an artist deeply concerned with the narratives of Blackness and womanhood, my work is a testament to the power of storytelling and representation. My latest project, Labor of Love, emerges from a personal journey into the lives of the women (and girls) in my maternal lineage, including my mother, grandmothers, aunts, sister, cousin, and nieces. This exploration is not just an act of remembrance for those who have passed, but a conscious effort to honor the living, to give them their flowers now. Through this body of work, I aim to celebrate and center the women in my family—those who have shaped me into who I am today. This project is driven by a profound respect and love for these ladies, who frequently place the needs of others above their own. Labor of Love is a tribute to the strength, resilience, and enduring spirit of these remarkable women, serving as a mirror to their invaluable contributions and sacrifices.   

Artist Biography

Jordan Dantzler, a native of Rock Hill, SC, discovered her love for visual art early on, participating in programs like the ST-ARTS program at Winthrop University. She pursued her passion at Spelman College, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Art with a minor in Curatorial Studies. Dantzler's journey includes prestigious art internships at institutions such as the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, ZuCot Gallery, and Sotheby’s. 
 
Currently a third-year Master of Fine Arts student at the University of South Carolina, she also shares her expertise as a graduate instructor and teaching assistant. Dantzler's artistic versatility spans mediums like ceramics, photography, and printmaking, often combining them in her work, which has been showcased at venues including the Mable House Arts Center, McMaster Gallery, and the University of South Carolina’s President’s House.