“I am walking wounded. I make work that helps me understand what that means by adjusting to the limitations of my sickness, using the materials that I have around me.”
Jocelyn Mathewes’ work, ranging from photography, to assemblage, to paper sculpture and video, centers the theme of illness and corporeality: how do we deal with illness, especially chronic illness, in our day to day lives? In what ways are we allowed to be sick and in what ways are we expected to be strong? Above all, how do we navigate illness in a world which is not made to accommodate disabilities or, indeed, times of weakness? In our region, as in the rest of Appalachia, those who deal with pollution, addiction or disabilities face this struggle every day.
In her work, Jocelyn uses the serial art of cyanography, and the manual work of quilting and paper folding to make her process mirror the labor that goes into caring for one’s body when it is weak or in pain. That manual work becomes a source of comfort and reassurance, even as it begins to take on the character of penitence and purification. It is an effort to remain human in the face of a world that sees the sick body as a parasitic one.
Jocelyn Mathewes is an artist, curator and arts organizer living and working in Eastern Tennessee. She obtained her BA in Fine Art and English Literature from Messiah College and exhibits across the country. Regionally, she is an active member and leader in the arts scene, starting the Eat/Art Space project in 2020, and organizing regular newsletters, exhibitions and artist meet-ups.
“Parasite(Dise)” will be open to the public from August 20, 2026, to January 10, 2027.
“Parasite(Dise)” is a William King Museum of Art original exhibition and is part of the museum’s McGlothlin Exhibition Series.
From the Curator:
“Jocelyn Mathewes’ work, ranging from photography, to assemblage, to paper sculpture and video, centers the theme of illness and corporeality: how do we deal with illness, especially chronic illness, in our day to day lives? In what ways are we allowed to be sick and in what ways are we expected to be strong? Above all, how do we navigate illness in a world which is not made to accommodate disabilities or, indeed, times of weakness? In our region, as in the rest of Appalachia, those who deal with pollution, addiction or disabilities face this struggle every day.
In her work, Jocelyn uses the serial art of cyanography, and the manual work of quilting and paper folding to make her process mirror the labor that goes into caring for one’s body when it is weak or in pain. That manual work becomes a source of comfort and reassurance, even as it begins to take on the character of penitence and purification. It is an effort to remain human in the face of a world that sees the sick body as a parasitic one.
At the same time, Jocelyn is using these common, domestic materials to point to grander themes. Through her everyday struggles with chronic illness and her daily interactions with the material world, she is constantly reflecting on themes of faith, our natural environment, physics and mathematics. Fascinated by the richness of variation that can be found in a common pattern (such as in the Mandelbrot Set) she uses the complexity found in lived experience to point towards the common order that underlines and organizes our world. Jocelyn notes that a simple seed will ultimately become a tree, but nothing about that seed can predict or control the final form of the tree– it can only spiral out into complexity from a simple organizing principle.”
-Russell Facemire
Related events:
Members/Lenders Preview: Wednesday, August 19, 5:30pm – 7:30pm*
Join us for a special early viewing of “Parasite(Dise)” ! Members can get the first look at the exhibition, enjoy a variety of refreshments provided by A-Z Catering, and connect with the artist and the curators!
Live Storytelling: Thursday, August 20, 4:oopm – 5:00pm
Join us in the Contemporary Regional Gallery for a performance by award-winning storyteller Hannah Harvey, made possible by partnership with the International Storytelling Center.
Tours at 4: Friday, August 21, 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Join curator Russell Facemire for a free public tour of the exhibition– get insights into the process of creation, the artist’s inspirations and the stories behind each work.
Members’ Morning: Wednesday, August 26, 10:00am – 11:00am*
Join us for a special presentation on Jocelyn Mathewes’ work while sampling coffee and pastries from “The Girl and the Raven”– get a more in-depth look at her career, her practice, and her thoughts on art!
RSVP required for all events by emailing rsvp@wkmuseum.org.
*Members only events. To become a member visit www.williamkingmuseum.org/become-a-member.
