JB: What do you anticipate doing
in the next stage of your art-making process?
EJ: I have progressive MS,
but I’ve never felt that I
needed to fight my disease or
the repercussions of having an
imperfect brain. Instead, my
ambitions are limitless, in that
I want to develop art around
all sorts of new neuro-technology, following the progress of
neuroscientists in their journey to understand our minds.
I consider my work to be political in that it is developing a
new visual language of illness,
intended to empower patients.
I aspire to make large-scale
textile installations using
images of brains belonging
to people with various brain
diseases, especially those with
brain tumors. The purpose
of projects like these will be
to create a reverent space for
Emerging (2012). 5” x 5”. Solarplate etching on paper. Image courtesy of the artist.
contemplating the beauty and
architecture of the brain.
I have been honored to be included in projects
I also hope to someday expand the definition
that arise out of the intention to educate the
of “patient” to include soldiers in a project I
public about these scientific aspects; in this
have been calling the Narratives of Modern Warway, my work has taken on a life of its own. For fare. I’d like to make etchings that focus on vetexample, the Center for Regenerative Medicine erans of the Iraq-Afghanistan wars who suffer
in Scotland invited me to create artwork that
from traumatic brain injury, to tell the stories of
will explore stem cell research—something I
modern warfare as seen through the damage to
would not have done independently; this is such its participants. The work will honor veterans
an amazing opportunity to continue my involve- by creating artwork that celebrates the beauty
ment in science while also continuing to honor
and mystery of the brain while simultaneously
the intersecting narratives of pati [