Curriculum
Vitae

b. 1982 in Detroit, MI.
Lives and works in Brooklyn, NY.

PROFILE

J. Mack is a visual artist working in constructed portraiture that draws on documentary observation. Her work examines family mythology, whiteness, queerness, and the uneasy fictions of American normalcy — the family photograph as both evidence and invention. Working on medium- and large-format film, she stages and composites multiple frames into single, unstable images of belonging and control.

EDUCATION

2005
BFA, Photography, Parsons School of Design (New York, NY)

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2007
On the Move – Laurence Miller Gallery (New York, NY)

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2020
Body of Evidence – Laurence Miller Gallery (New York, NY)
2019
Grace: Gender, Race, Identity – Laurence Miller Gallery (New York, NY)
Betwixt and Between – Laurence Miller Gallery, (New York, NY)
2017
(un)expected families – Museum of Fine Arts (Boston, MA)
2013
The Kids are All Right: An Exhibition about Family Photography – Addison Gallery of American Art (Andover, MA); John Michael Kohler Arts Center (Sheboygan, WI); Weatherspoon Art Museum (Greensboro, NC)
2012
Man Made Color – Laurence Miller Gallery (New York, NY)
Venice Biennale
2009
Paris Photo
2007
Past (Present) Future – Laurence Miller Gallery (New York, NY)
ARCO Madrid
2006
Homo-a-GoGo Festival (Olympia, WA)
Portraits – National Arts Club (New York, NY)
Art Basel
Paris Photo
2005
XX/XY – Gallery Aferro (Newark, NJ)
Parsons Photo – Aronson Gallery (New York, NY)
2004
CCS Art – Center Gallery (Detroit, MI)

GRANTS/HONORS

2009
Shortlisted for Paris Photo Prize
2005
Tierney Fellowship
Parsons Photo Best in Show

RESIDENCIES

2011
Artist-in-Residence, Michigan State University

SELECTED PRESS

Ed Siegel, “Moods For Moderns: The Museum Of Fine Arts Boldly Basks In The 21st Century,” WBUR, March 2018 (online)

Stephanie Murg, “Family Photos that Blow Away our Expectations,” Introspective Magazine, January 2018 (online)

Rena Silverman, “In Search of the American Family,” New York Times, November 2017 (online)

Jacopo Prisco, “Poignant photographs chronicle the evolution of the American family,” CNN, December 2017 (online)

Andrea Shea, “Portraits At The MFA Question What Family Looks Like,” WBUR, December 2017 (online)

Lauren Hansen, “The Universal Beauty of Family,” The Week, December 2017 (online)

Mark Feeney, “Family matters, photographic and otherwise,” Boston Globe, October 2013 (online)

“The Kids are All Right,” Addison Gallery of American Art, September 2013 (online)

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Photographs in The New York Times, New York Magazine, Time, LIFE (including cover), and Condé Nast Traveler

SELECTED COLLECTIONS

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA

SELECTED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

In addition to her studio practice, J. Mack has worked across documentary production, art direction, cinematography, post-production, and creative leadership.

2021–2024
VP, Creative — Teamshares (New York, NY)
Led creative content and storytelling for a national employee-ownership platform; one of the company's first ten employees.

2011–2021
Co-Founder, Director, Cinematographer — THEY bklyn (Brooklyn, NY)
Documentary, photo, and branded content for clients including the Vilcek Foundation (40+ prize-recipient profiles), Ford Foundation, The Met, Penguin, The New York Times, Etsy, NASA, Columbia, NYU, and Lucie Foundation.

2008–2011
Art Director, Producer — Sony Music, Arcade Creative Group, Mother, Buck, Curious Pictures (New York, NY)

2005–2008
Graphic Artist, Retoucher, Production Manager — Sony Music (New York, NY)

2002–2005
Photo Assistant —RADAR, Time, LIFE, Teen People (New York, NY)