Artist Biography

DeJeonge Reese (she/her) is a black female, visual artist, educator and art advocate from Yeadon, Pennsylvania. She uses her art and creativity to stimulate new and on-going conversations on the various facets of identity within the black community. DeJeonge highlights these intersections through her passion for experimenting with a variety of mediums and materials

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Artist Statement

I am a visual artist whose passions led me to explore the various facets of identity, specifically the body and beauty ideals. My inspiration is drawn from my identity as a Black woman, especially regarding the past and present discourse surrounding Black hair and beauty expectations. After experiencing scrutiny from loved ones when I started to re-identify myself through my natural hair, I became impacted enough to explore these themes and ideas through my art. I mine these themes through mediums such as mixed media sculpture, installations, and performances. By fusing themes and ideas from both the past and present; my art explores various connotations surrounding black hair and beauty expectations. Therefore, contributing to on-going conversations on cultural identity as African Americans.

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Education

2017

MFA Studio Art, Moore College of Art and Design

2013

B.S Visual Arts, The Lincoln of Pennsylvania

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Bibliography

2017

Reese, “The Examination of Modern Day Influences of Beauty and Body Image Standards and Expectations Among African American Women”, 2017 Thesis, Moore College of Art and Design

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Professional Experience

2018-Present

Adjunct Professor, The Lincoln University of PA, Intro to Art

2017

Teaching Assistant, Moore College of Art and Design, Design II

2016

Teaching Assistant, Moore College of Art and Design, Sculpture: Concepts, Materials, Process

Exhibitions

2023
New Now VI, InLiquid Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

‍2022
28" and Under, Muse Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
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New Members Show, Muse Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
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$99 Sale Exhibition, Vox Populi Philadelphia, PA
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Biannual Juried Alumni Exhibit, The Galleries at Moore, Philadelphia, PA

Artist Open Call Spring virtual Exhibition, Folx Gallery, Louisville, KY
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Now One with Everyone, Icebox Project Space, Philadelphia, PA
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Juried Alumni Biennial Galleries at Moore, Philadelphia, PA
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Folx Gallery Open Call, online exhibition, Philadelphia, PA

2019
The Woodmere 78th Annual Juried Exhibition, The Woodmere Art Museum, Philadelphia, PA
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Lets Connect, The Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia, PA

2019
‍HERspace, Group Exhibition, Philly Art Collective, Philadelphia, PA

2018
Relational Chemistry, Group Exhibition, IvbenStudio6, Philadelphia, PA
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Let's Connect Philly, Group Exhibition, The Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia, PA

2017
Moore College of Art and Design MFA Thesis Exhibition, Group exhibition, Philadelphia PA

2015
Two-person exhibition for Black History Month at Ann Arundel Community College Gallery, Arundel, MD
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RAW Natural Born artist organization Present The Trocadero Theater, Philadelphia, PA

2014
Raw Natural Born Artist Organization, Revolution, Theatre of Living Arts, Philadelphia, PA
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Raw Natural Born Artist Organization Holiday RAWK, Creative Alliance, Baltimore, MD
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Raw Natural Born Artist Organization Awakening, Penn Social, Washington, DC

2013
Raw Natural Born Artist Encompass, Philadelphia, PA