"A Layered Space: Outside" by Jennifer Arnold

Date and Time

Fri, Jan 9, 2026 - Tue, Jan 27, 2026 11am - 5pm

Location

Details

Objects, architecture, and nature within and near her home inform Arnold's work. She communicates her observations, with often delicate pieces, and integrates her thoughts into photography, collage, sculpture, utilizing a photographic technique Canvas Peels.

The Canvas Peels are her most unique works. The process began as an accident, and fortunately, through tireless experimenting, she was able to reproduce it and control it. Each leaf, article of clothing, etc. is photographed individually, printed on canvas, and then the image is released from the canvas leaving a transparent, archival image/object. These images are pliable and are arranged in compositions on the wall or are often adhered to a wire armature creating an object both real and surreal.

Starting in 2007, my work in photography led to the development of a photo transfer technique I refer to as the Canvas Peel in which the image’s pigment is suspended in varnish. With the texture of pliable plastic, the artworks are paper-thin, sometimes, two-sided images of three-dimensional objects. Those objects come together in large scale installations in which viewers meander through, experiencing a surreal world where objects that should have volume are reduced to floating images, it becomes quite playful.

The next iteration will further develop plants and trees into more spectacular objects. The most recent ones I am creating utilize real branches along with Canvas Peel leaves and flowers from different species and elements that have nothing to do with plants at all: scraps from the Closet Series are transforming into leaves: blue puffy coat/plaid/denim patterned leaves, etc. As horticulturist and producer of this bizarre and surreal space, I want to almost overwhelm the viewer with a landscape totally twisted up, like elements our minds develop while we sleep with blended memories and objects. This iteration will include video and sound for the first time; shadow of dog tail wagging, sound of the waterfall, birds chirping, helicopter overhead, etc.
I have been thinking a lot about truth lately....can we trust our own eyes...our own ears...our own memories?

“I want to almost overwhelm the viewer with a landscape totally twisted up, like elements our minds develop while we sleep with blended memories and objects.”

Jennifer Arnold resides in Corpus Christi, Texas, where she has maintained a studio practice since receiving her MFA from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in 2009.
Arnold serves as Co-Chair for the Board of Directors, and Chair of the Exhibitions Committee for K Space Contemporary; a 501(c)3 non-profit contemporary art space in downtown. She served as adjunct professor as well as the academic advisor for the arts at TAMUCC for many years. She is now Assistant Professor of Art and Director of University Galleries for the Department of Art + Design at TAMUCC.

K Space Contemporary is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to presenting and promoting contemporary art. This programming is supported by AEP Texas and grant funding from the Coastal Bend Community Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts and Texas Commission on the Arts.

Gallery hours are Wednesday - Saturday 11 am to 5 pm and Sunday 12 to 4 pm. We are located at 623 N. Chaparral Street in downtown Corpus Christi, Texas. To learn more about the artist, the exhibition, and other K Space programming, please visit www.kspacecontemporary.org or follow us on Instagram or Facebook @kspacecontemporary.