New Jenny Hood Exhibition, Nine, Explores Personal Change

Finding a Way Forward: Arkade Gallery hosts an introspective exploration of memory, loss, and growth.

New Jenny Hood Exhibition, Nine, Explores Personal Change
Self Portrait by Jenny Hood

We're big fans of Jenny Hood's work, so we were excited to share when she told us about her upcoming exhibition, Nine. The show, which opens this Friday (25 October) at Arkade Gallery, explores her personal journey through an underworld of memories and emotions.

Nine features a collection of photographic, sculptural, and mixed-media works. Hood uses this exhibition to explore those moments when we ask, "How did I end up here?" Her pieces reflect on change, loss, and the life-shifts that challenge our sense of direction.

Influenced by myth and classic texts, Hood’s work in Nine explores the idea of a self-created underworld. These pieces are about being lost but seeking patterns and landmarks to make sense of the chaos. Much like the levels of Hell in Dante's Inferno, Hood's works depict a layered emotional landscape, where each piece represents a moment of introspection or confrontation with her inner demons.

This show means a lot to me as it’s a return to my original background and training as an artist—35mm photography. After hiding behind other forms of art making for a long time, I feel I have come home and embraced working photographically again. The works attempt to map my personal and professional journey, trying to make sense of how I got to where I am as an artist and an individual.

Jenny Hood

Finding the Way Forward

In the end, Nine is a journey of rebuilding. Hood encourages viewers to question how they respond to change: do we try to follow the signs and piece things back together, or do we break everything apart and start anew? The exhibition asks these existential questions, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own paths. Make sure to stop by Arkade Gallery to experience this thought-provoking show.

Jenny will host an informal discussion at Arkade Gallery on Wednesday 6 November, sharing insights into Nine and reflecting on selected projects from her artistic career. It's a fantastic chance to peek into the life and inspiration behind her work. You can book your spot here.

We love it when local creative people reach out to tell us about their upcoming projects, so feel free to let us know if you have an event coming up. Don't be shy.