Photo by Aneek Mustafa Anwar
Bio
Alex Long is currently a Master of Fine Arts Candidate in Printmaking at Ohio University, located in Athens, OH with an expected graduation date of May 2025. She is originally from Oxford, Mississippi where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Printmaking and Imaging Arts from the University of Mississippi. She is currently an Instructor of Record for Image & Design as well as the Graduate Assistant the Registrar at the Kennedy Museum of Art.
Artist Statement
My work investigates the connections that form in intimate spaces and communal dining experiences—places where transformative conversations unfold, shaping identities through the retelling of stories and the intertwining of lives. These exchanges happen around tables, in booths, on front porches, and in settings where people come together to eat, drink, and share time.
Directly inspired by my upbringing in Mississippi as an outsider with a queer perspective, I draw from the distinct aesthetics of homes and restaurants in Southern culture. Working in restaurants and growing up in a household that frequently revolved around food and drink, I quickly learned that the heart of every gathering lies in shared dining experiences. Around these spaces, significant discussions take place—moments where intimate bonds are forged, new connections emerge, and differences are navigated. I believe that these exchanges, both delightful and challenging, play a pivotal role in shaping relationships and understanding between individuals.
My work reflects the complexity of these human experiences in places of gathering and dining. Through printmaking techniques such as photolithography, screenprinting, chine collé, and installation, I recreate the essence of these moments—whether it’s the bustling energy of a potluck or the familiar exchanges between regulars at a "hole-in-the-wall" Southern diner. By referencing these pivotal spaces and encounters, I hope to spark a heightened awareness of the importance of human connection and a genuine desire for deeper relationships. Through my art, I explore how communal meals and intimate gatherings become opportunities for storytelling, reflection, and transformation, revealing the shared humanity that binds us.