Mercedes Jelenik
Mercedes Jelinek (b. 1985 New Haven, CT) is an American artist working in Italy and NYC. Her curiosity about the variety of humanity drives the visual narratives in her work. The resulting projects reflect her personal connection and collaboration with her subjects. Mercedes's most recent work revolves around ideas of community, identity, and redefined purpose.
Mercedes holds a BFA in Visual Arts from the State University of New York at Purchase and an MFA from Louisiana State University. Her work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally, including the Ogden Museum of Southern Art in Louisiana; the Hinson Art Museum, Gaston County Museum, Blowing Rock Art and History Museum and the Cassilhaus Gallery in North Carolina; SoHo Photo Gallery, Cuchifritos Gallery, Littlefield Gallery, and Gallery MC in New York; Page Bond Gallery in Virginia; the Satellite Art Show at Art Basal Miami; 30-under-30 Exhibition at Vermont Center for Photography; MPLS Photo Center in Minnesota; Midwest Center for Photography Exhibition at the Center Gallery in Kentucky; among others.
In addition, Mercedes' publications have been acquired by the Museum of Modern Art, Guggenheim Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Whitney Museum, Library of Congress, Aperture Foundation, and the Getty Institute collections. She is also on the board of Blue Sky Gallery in Portland.