Get To Know: Jason Hill At AUX/MUTE Gallery

Now showing through June at the Portland Art Museum’s AUX/MUTE Gallery is photographerJason Hill’s, In My Skin. Hill writes this body of work, “…celebrates Black cultural identity, African ancestry, and the contemporary lived experience of the community in Portland, through dynamic lighting, saturated color, and portraiture. I wanted to keep things spontaneous and lively  but also be very precise with my lighting to show depth in the image as well as in the person.” The work began as a request by recording artist, I$$A, to create images to pair with a song. Hill was the obvious choice, considering that his interest in photography began with his love of of the art on vinyl record album covers.

The AUX/MUTE Gallery is presented by The Numberz FM, a low-power station providing a Black music experience, “curated by Black Portland.” You’ll find it on the 4th floor of the Portland Art Museum through June, 2022. The gallery gives BIPOC artists an opportunity to be seen within a gallery setting. The name comes from the electric connections found on amplifiers in radio stations and recording studios. The AUX channel is a pure, open pathway. Mute means to block that signal. Historically underrepresented artists who have felt blocked (or muted) for decades, now have a clear channel to show their works and engage with the larger community.

In My Skin (square grid), pigment-based inkjet, courtesy of the artist, Jason Hill, from Portland Art Museum press materials on the PAM website