Pansies, Rosemary & Violence

…is a sixteen photo series responding to Martha’s character progression in Edward Albee’s play Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf. The project was staged and shot under Beta Bridge, Charlottesville’s own painted character, in partnership with Jess’ longtime friend and collaborator Mimi Robinson. Mimi and Jess allowed their fascination with the melding of media and disciplines to fuel creation; Pansies, Rosemary & Violence marries paint, photography, portraiture, acting, and literary analysis.

“I’ll make you sorry you made me want to marry you.”

“I have a fine sense of the ridiculousness, but no sense of humor.”

“I am the Earth Mother, and you are all flops.”

“Total war?” “Total.”

“Truth or illusion, George, you don’t know the difference.”

“What’s going to happen?”

“Ugly games… ugly.”

“Please, George, no more games.”

“Just that; for fear.”

“The one light in all this hopeless… darkness.”

“You can’t just cut it off whenever you’ve got enough blood in your mouth.”

“You can’t decide these things.”

“You didn’t have to push it over the edge.”

“I am not a monster!”

“Did you have to?”

“Who’s afraid of Virginia Woolf?” “I am George… I am.”