“Is Public Art always a physical structure set down in public view, or can the genre also include the results of the cultivation of a relationship between artists, public space, and community? This question is particularly poignant for Black artists, who have historically been denied access to funding, materials, and public space– and have thus been forced to rely on community to create works “by any means necessary.” There’s a strong legacy of social practice in the Black tradition of community-based art making– a tradition pioneered by Houston-based artist-arts administrator Rick Lowe and Project Row Houses, among others. Working squarely in this tradition, Jessica Moss, founder and director of The Roll Up CLT artist residency project, challenges our ideas about public art making.”
- Arts critic and writer Amina Cooper for Forecast Public Art Magazine, 2021
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As an artist and practitioner Jessica Gaynelle Moss’ creative vision transcends traditional art boundaries. Her work -- merging fine art with real estate development, philanthropy and institution-building -- has been defined as social practice, creative place-making and public art. Embracing multiple mediums and disciplines, her work asserts autonomy with authority, often through visual and textual declarations or convenings in public spaces.
Jessica is committed to creating and sustaining Black autonomous spaces. Her work has been exhibited at arts and cultural institutions across the US including the Carnegie Museum of Art, BrewHouse Arts, The August Wilson African American Cultural Center, McDonough Museum of Art, Carlow University, Denison Art Space, The University of North Carolina Charlotte, Above The Frame Shop, The Institute of Contemporary Art Baltimore, The Joan Flasch Artists' Book Collection, UnSmoke Systems, The Miller Gallery at Carnegie Mellon University and PNC Park.
