Jenna Gribbon

Jenna Gribbon is one of today’s most perceptive and in-demand artists. Her paintings explore the complex landscape of contemporary relationships, dealing with subjects such as intimacy and the male gaze.

Born in 1978 in Knoxville, Tennessee, Gribbon has made a name for herself with works that blur the lines between realism and expressionism, often focusing on personal, vulnerable moments shared between people. Her work is celebrated for its lush, painterly style and ability to convey both tenderness and power.

Gribbon’s paintings often depict people in her life — her partner and close friends — with an emphasis on capturing fleeting moments and emotional states. The figures in her paintings are imbued with a sense of immediacy and movement, as she frequently uses loose brushstrokes, vivid colours, and distorted perspectives to create a dreamlike quality. Her use of light is a defining characteristic, often bathing her subjects in warm, soft hues that evoke a sense of intimacy.

Central to Gribbon’s work is the exploration of the act of looking, both from the viewer and the subject. Her paintings frequently challenge traditional depictions of gender and the power dynamics inherent in looking and being looked at. Gribbon paints to question who is allowed to observe and be observed, often presenting scenes of queer desire and domesticity. ‘I am more interested in delivering that “old painting experience” that most of us will admit to enjoying, as a means of posing uncomfortable questions,’ she explained.

While painting in oils, Gribbon innovates and adopts new technologies into her practice. She uses her cell phone as a sketchbook, taking and storing thousands of photos as potential ideas for paintings. Once she selects an image, she will produce a simple sketch before applying oil paint to complete the picture.

Gribbon’s work has been exhibited in numerous galleries and institutions worldwide. She has garnered attention for her unique point of view in tackling the female nude and the question of desire and gaze., infusing these themes into classical painting traditions. Jenna Gribbon now lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.