ARTICLE
A new exhibit, Sacred/Sagrado: Festivals of Mexico, featuring the photography of Jenna Mulhall-Brereton will run from January 2 through May 27, 2018 at the Pearl S. Buck International Exhibit Gallery located at 520 Dublin Road, Perkasie, PA. In this exhibit Jenna Mulhall-Brereton documents traditional ceremonies that are part of the fabric of Mexican history and culture. She writes, “The term ‘sacred’ invokes two distinct definitions of the word: that which is holy, and that which is a cherished part of the life of a community. Though all the festivals I have photographed tie back in some way to the religious calendar (Mardi Gras, after all, is the day before Lent), only about half of them celebrate the deeply held beliefs of the Catholic faith. Other images portray a profound sense of tradition, identity, and community that is every bit as intensely felt.” Though some of these images have appeared in exhibitions across the U.S., this is the first time they will appear together in a solo exhibition. ABOUT THE ARTIST Jenna Mulhall-Brereton is a photographer and a professional in the philanthropy sector—two passions that are fueled by her travels throughout the world. With a bachelor’s degree in French and Spanish and a Master’s degree in International Peace and Conflict Resolution, she has always had a strong interest in intercultural communication, and brings this perspective to her photographic work. Jenna’s work is rooted in the documentary tradition, and she most often shoots in black and white. For her, this boils down to “what is most essential in an image—a graphic quality, a gesture, a subtle expression, a quality of light.” She maintains a deep and abiding love of film, and prints her images by hand in an analog darkroom. She has been working this way since she first became a photographer, nearly twenty years ago, and has been fortunate to study with master printmaker Chuck Kelton. Her photographs have appeared in juried exhibitions throughout the U.S., and in a variety of publications, including the book published by Aperture: Mary Ellen Mark on the Portrait and the Moment. In the coming year, Jenna will travel to Mexico again to photograph the sacred rituals of the Day of the Dead holiday. Also, she is in the planning stages for a U.S.-based project that will explore the ways in which cultural identity is preserved, expressed, and interpreted by immigrant communities. The Exhibit Gallery in the Welcome Center of Pearl S. Buck International is located at 520 Dublin Rd, Perkasie, PA 18944. Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 to 5:00 Saturday 10:30 to 3:00 Sunday 12:30 to 3:00 Admission to the Exhibit Gallery is complimentary. Curator: Marie Toner Graphic Designer: Kati Sowiak This exhibit is made possible by generous funding from Visit Bucks County. Bride and wolf, San Martín Tilcajete, 2015 Selenium toned gelatin silver print La novia y el lobo, San Martín Tilcajete, 2015 Impresión en gelatina de plata, virado al selenio Traditionally, Catholic weddings don’t occur during the forty days of Lent. The town of San Martín Tilcajete gives a nod to this tradition by having one final wedding celebration for Carnival, the day before Ash Wednesday. There is a raucous mock ceremony in the town square with two local teenaged volunteers, with a young man serving as the bride. The community comes out to celebrate in an array of costumes, and the day is capped with a feast at the mayor’s home. Tradicionalmente, las bodas católicas no ocurren durante los cuarenta días de la Cuaresma. El pueblo de San Martín Tilcajete hace un gesto de alusión a esta tradición al tener una boda final durante Carnaval, el día antes del Miércoles de Ceniza. Hay una ruidosa parodia de ceremonia en el Zócalo con dos voluntarios adolescentes, con un joven vistiéndose de novia. El pueblo viene a celebrar en un despliegue de disfraces, y el día culmina en un banquete en casa del presidente municipal.
A new exhibit, Sacred/Sagrado: Festivals of Mexico, featuring the photography of Jenna Mulhall-Brereton will run from January 2 through May 27, 2018 at the Pearl S. Buck International Exhibit Gallery located at 520 Dublin Road, Perkasie, PA.
In this exhibit Jenna Mulhall-Brereton documents traditional ceremonies that are part of the fabric of Mexican history and culture. She writes, “The term ‘sacred’ invokes two distinct definitions of the word: that which is holy, and that which is a cherished part of the life of a community. Though all the festivals I have photographed tie back in some way to the religious calendar (Mardi Gras, after all, is the day before Lent), only about half of them celebrate the deeply held beliefs of the Catholic faith. Other images portray a profound sense of tradition, identity, and community that is every bit as intensely felt.”
Though some of these images have appeared in exhibitions across the U.S., this is the first time they will appear together in a solo exhibition.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Jenna Mulhall-Brereton is a photographer and a professional in the philanthropy sector—two passions that are fueled by her travels throughout the world. With a bachelor’s degree in French and Spanish and a Master’s degree in International Peace and Conflict Resolution, she has always had a strong interest in intercultural communication, and brings this perspective to her photographic work.
Jenna’s work is rooted in the documentary tradition, and she most often shoots in black and white. For her, this boils down to “what is most essential in an image—a graphic quality, a gesture, a subtle expression, a quality of light.” She maintains a deep and abiding love of film, and prints her images by hand in an analog darkroom. She has been working this way since she first became a photographer, nearly twenty years ago, and has been fortunate to study with master printmaker Chuck Kelton.
Her photographs have appeared in juried exhibitions throughout the U.S., and in a variety of publications, including the book published by Aperture: Mary Ellen Mark on the Portrait and the Moment.
In the coming year, Jenna will travel to Mexico again to photograph the sacred rituals of the Day of the Dead holiday. Also, she is in the planning stages for a U.S.-based project that will explore the ways in which cultural identity is preserved, expressed, and interpreted by immigrant communities.
The Exhibit Gallery in the Welcome Center of Pearl S. Buck International is located at 520 Dublin Rd, Perkasie, PA 18944.
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 to 5:00 Saturday 10:30 to 3:00 Sunday 12:30 to 3:00 Admission to the Exhibit Gallery is complimentary. Curator: Marie Toner Graphic Designer: Kati Sowiak This exhibit is made possible by generous funding from Visit Bucks County.
Bride and wolf, San Martín Tilcajete, 2015 Selenium toned gelatin silver print
La novia y el lobo, San Martín Tilcajete, 2015 Impresión en gelatina de plata, virado al selenio
Traditionally, Catholic weddings don’t occur during the forty days of Lent. The town of San Martín Tilcajete gives a nod to this tradition by having one final wedding celebration for Carnival, the day before Ash Wednesday. There is a raucous mock ceremony in the town square with two local teenaged volunteers, with a young man serving as the bride. The community comes out to celebrate in an array of costumes, and the day is capped with a feast at the mayor’s home.
Tradicionalmente, las bodas católicas no ocurren durante los cuarenta días de la Cuaresma. El pueblo de San Martín Tilcajete hace un gesto de alusión a esta tradición al tener una boda final durante Carnaval, el día antes del Miércoles de Ceniza. Hay una ruidosa parodia de ceremonia en el Zócalo con dos voluntarios adolescentes, con un joven vistiéndose de novia. El pueblo viene a celebrar en un despliegue de disfraces, y el día culmina en un banquete en casa del presidente municipal.