Jennifer Murray is an artist, educator, and curator who lives and works in Chicago. Her work and research investigate human material culture and the impact that objects and collecting has on contemporary life. In addition to her photography-based creative work, her professional practice includes working as a curator, writer, and cultural producer.  She is the executive director of Filter Photo, where she directs the planning of the Filter Photo Festival as well as the exhibition program at Filter Space gallery in Chicago.  She was Director of Averill and Bernard Leviton A+D Gallery at Columbia College Chicago for eleven years, where she organized a broad range of exhibitions in art and design. Additionally, Murray is an independent curator and writer. Recently curated exhibitions include Furtive at the Chicago Cultural Center, essays for Little Romances, a monograph by Jordanna Kalman and B.ODE, a monograph by Andrea Wilmsen, and an exhibition essay to accompany These Walls are a Stage at The Alice Wilds Gallery in Milwaukee, WI.

Murray has lectured widely on various photography subjects and has been awarded artist and institutional grants from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and the Illinois Arts Council Agency, as well as institutional grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and numerous foundations.  She teaches a broad range of topics, from darkroom and digital skills to portfolio development and professional practices for emerging photographers. She was an Instructor of Photography at Loyola University Chicago for fifteen years and consults and mentors artists on project development and exhibition preparation.  She is a frequent portfolio reviewer and juror at photography events across the US, including FotoFest, Photolucida’s Critical Mass, SPE, and Denver Month of Photography, among others. Murray received an MFA in photography from Columbia College Chicago in 2002.

Contact jennifermurray.mail@gmail.com