OUR HISTORY, OUR VOICES PROJECT
The Jalynn Baker Exhibit
About Her Exhibit…
I use photography and writing to amplify quiet stories and celebrate the beauty and dignity in people and communities.
Breaking Beautiful was my first organized effort to advocate for myself and other women.
Throughout girlhood, I had received the message that beauty should look a certain way from the media and society. My hair, my body, my skin were all an affront to this standardized definition. As I looked around my college campus, I saw a world of beauty to be celebrated. My intention with this portrait series was to reclaim our power as women to define beauty for ourselves and to give voice to the uniqueness of each individual.
Since then, I have continued to use my art to advocate and elevate the voices of others, most recently focusing on themes surrounding race and immigrant rights. With every image taken and story shared, I seek to release joy, empathy, appreciation, and value for people into the world.
Click to view images at larger scale.
Connect with Jalynn Baker »
Instagram: @jalexisphoto | Website: http://www.jalynnbaker.com
More Exhibits
The Allison Hong Merrill Exhibit
I'm a Taiwanese immigrant writer based in Utah. My work mostly centers around my upbringing in Chinese culture, which sadly, conditions women and girls to submit to men's will.
The Liberty Collins Exhibit
I'm an East TN native who grew up playing outside crushing poke berries, painting on tin with rocks, and digging in the red clay of my backyard. Now I’m a potter! I started my body vessel project in September of 2020 after a diagnosis of a chronic illness. Since then, it's blossomed into a wonderful exploration of loving my body, its limits, and overcoming shame around my illness and imperfections.
The Emily McClenagan Exhibit
Jane & Pearl started during my twins' nap in 2015 as a way for me to create as well as give back to others. I am partnering with Thrive Parkridge in East Knoxville to amplify their work and donate profits to help with projects such as renovating rooms and spaces in their 100-year-old building. I love to paint live at weddings, watercolor home portraits, and of course whimsical florals.