EXHIBITION STATEMENT

The shrill chirp of sneakers darting across a gymnasium that echoes down the hallway. The smell of freshly waxed floors and old books. The harsh clang of a locker slamming shut, punctuating the silence of an afternoon lull. These sights, sounds, and smells, dredge up feelings of nostalgia and angst for a stage in our lives that was often messy and transformative: High School. This environment transports us to a time when we’re discovering our identity and formulating a belief system.

JV Collective’s studio is located in South Philadelphia's decommissioned Edward Bok Vocational High School. As we walk down the hall to our studio each day we pass the auditorium, long rows of lockers, and empty trophy cases; vestiges of the building’s past life.

In a nod to this loaded locale, we present In-School Suspension. The works of 34 artists from across the globe explore coming of age, formative years, and discovering one's identity. In-School Suspension is a snapshot of the universal experience that transcends regions, states, countries, and generations.