These pieces are from a body of work that I call ‘Retrofits.’ Retro, because they are made of existent things from the past, and fits because the process of creating them akin to putting an outfit together. Retrofits are wall hanging sculptures made from everyday objects that I have collected. They feature bright colors, interactive elements, and unique methods of construction and repurposing. The works are complex, woven collages of items including clothing, bags, toys, home decor and craft supplies.
I have always loved stuff, and Retrofits are an exploration of all of the complex emotions involved in collecting, owning, transporting, organizing, and living with lots of stuff. I am fascinated by the wasteful nature of contemporary culture, and my work springs from my desire to rescue the discarded and devalued. My compositions collage items together based on ties of color, theme, or just vibes. I use embroidery, adhesive, paint, and weaving to build the works complex color relationships and subject matter. My methods fuse my fine art training with all the crafty skills I’ve picked up doing DIYs and house projects over the years. Everything belongs in my artwork - it is an opportunity for unwanted and useless things to change contexts. Retrofits are reliquaries for stuff too quickly passed in and out of a life. They are a retired from their original purpose, and elevated to the importance and permanence of art.
2004-2006
BA Studio Art & BA Art History, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC
2002-2004
BFA candidate, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
2022
The Good Supply, Pemaquid, ME - included site specific installation, group show, and assistantship to artist Cindy Pease Roe
2022
Rising Stars: Meet Jessie Renew, SC Voyager Magazine The Good Supply Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary with a ‘Whale Club’, Lincoln County News
Hilton Head Island beautifies Lowcountry Celebration Park, WJCL
2023
Little Windows, Vox Populi, Philadelphia, PA
WTF, Imperfect Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Summer Show, ReCreate Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2022
Jessie Renew: Solo Show, Park Circle Gallery, North Charleston, SC
Whale Club, The Good Supply, Pemaquid, ME
Piccolo Spoleto Juried Exhibition, City Gallery, Charleston, SC
North Charleston Arts Fest, City of North Charleston, North Charleston, SC
Big Blade II, Big Blade Press, Charleston, SC
Simple Fest, Lo Fi Brewing, Charleston, SC
GAP Anniversary Show, GAP Gallery, Charleston, SC
2021
GAP Volume 3, GAP Gallery, Charleston, SC
GAP Volume 5, GAP Gallery, Charleston, SC
Recycled Art Show, Port Royal Sound Foundation, Beaufort, SC
Chalktoberfest, Marietta County Museum of Art, Atlanta, GA
2007
Charleston Visual Arts Club Winter Show, Old City Jail, Charleston, SC
2006
Golden Opportunity, Upper Deck, Charleston, SC
Girls, Girls, Girls, Redux Contemporary Art Center, Charleston, SC
Young Contemporaries, Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art, Charleston, SC
2005
Young Contemporaries, Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art, Charleston, SC
2022
Hilton Head Elementary Media Center Mural, commissioned by The Town of Hilton Head, Hilton Head, SC
11 Beach Trash Collection Basket Stand Murals, commissioned by The Town of Hilton Head, Hilton Head, SC
Collaborative Installation with Pockets Full of Sunshine, commissioned by Sandbox Children’s Museum, Hilton Head, SC
‘Make Art Not War’ illustration for Ukraine Relief fundraiser, commissioned by Pockets Full of Sunshine, Hilton Head, SC
2021
Crescendo Sidewalk Chalk Mural, commissioned by Town of Hilton Head, Hilton Head, SC
Oyster Recycling Trailer Mural, commissioned by Outside Foundation, Hilton Head, SC
2020
Indoor Painted Mural, commissioned by Move Fitness, Bluffton, SC
Brewing Process Indoor Mural, commissioned by Hilton Head Brewing Company, Hilton Head, SC
Sidewalk Chalk Mural, commissioned by Hilton Head Chamber of Commerce, Hilton Head, SC
Facebook Live Music and Chalk Art Performances, commissioned by Town of Hilton Head, Hilton Head, SC
Sidewalk Chalk Mural at Firehouse 2, commissioned by Town of Hilton Head, Hilton Head, SC
Facebook Live Music and Painting Performance, commissioned by BO ART, Hilton Head, SC
Facebook Live ‘Crafty Hour’ Performance, commissioned by Town of Hilton Head, Hilton Head, SC
“The Island is Asleep” music video, commissioned by Jevon Daly, Bluffton, SC
2019
Pope Avenue 450’ Outdoor Mural Printed from Illustrations, commissioned by Town of Hilton Head, Hilton Head, SC
‘He Cat and She Crab’ Children’s Book Illustration, commissioned by Jevon Daly, Bluffton, SC
Crescendo Sidewalk Chalk Mural, commissioned by Town of Hilton Head, Hilton Head, SC
2018
‘He Needs a Chihuahua’ Children’s Book Illustration, commissioned by Jevon Daly, Bluffton, SC
‘Hilton Head Happy’ apparel design, commissioned by Go Tri Sports, Hilton Head, SC
2017 ‘
Summer Moon’ and ‘Lowcountry Boil Christmas Special’ Music Videos, commissioned by Jevon Daly, Bluffton, SC
2016 ‘
MUDD’, ‘Keith Richards Just Keep on Livin’, ‘Jump Ya Bones’, and ‘Crickets and Bugs’ Music Videos, commissioned by Jevon Daly, Bluffton, SC
Chalk Board Mural, commissioned by Affordable Health Care, Bluffton, SC
