Artist Profile: Jessica Duby

Overview

Jino, Altar 1 is a photographic meditation on rest, resilience, and the sacredness of Black bodies in public space. Jessica Duby constructs an intimate yet political moment, transforming a city bench into an altar of vulnerability and reverence. The subject, Jino, lies in a moment of quiet repose, adorned with delicate flowers that contrast the urban surroundings and his own military-patterned attire.

By juxtaposing elements of nature, stillness, and movement in the cityscape, Duby highlights the tension between rest as an act of defiance and the ways Black bodies are often denied safety in public spaces. The golden light beneath the bench and the arrangement of flowers evoke a sense of ritual, honoring the necessity of rest as resistance. Jino, Altar 1 invites viewers to reconsider space, presence, and care in a world that often demands constant movement.

Featured Artwork

Vault – Bushwick Gallery

• Artwork Title: Jino, Altar 1
• Year of Creation: 2024
• Medium: Photography
• Dimensions: 24 x 20 inches
• Current Location: New York, NY