There’s More Than What Meets the Eye: Exhibition Review of PORTRAITS|FACES by JBUCK
Destiny C. Bennett
Imagine this! It’s 6p.m. on July 11, 2026. The sun is just beginning to lower and a gentle breeze sweeps the air. Cars, including yours, begin rolling into a West Jackson plaza parking lot filled with businesses colliding the past, present and future. From the Hair Galleria to the Chicken Shack, you're able to grab a bite to eat in between getting the essentials for your next night out. But, before you could tend to the business you came for, your attention is drawn to a huge sign that reads “VIBE STUDIO JXN”. With your curiosity in tow, you saunter over to read the flyers posted on the barred doors.
Little did you know, you stumbled upon the opening night of “PORTRAITS|FACES” an exhibition by Mississippi artist JBUCK.
Opening the door, you're welcomed by the sounds of soft tunes and minute chatter. Paintings of every size adorned the large concrete walls, each one channeling heavy emotional baggage waiting to be unpacked. Your curiosity, now transformed into utter entrancement, became fully engulfed by the gobsmacking artistry of JBUCK. As you make your way through the exhibition, you’re left with a few questions: Who is JBUCK, how does “PORTRAITS|FACES” relate to his life experiences, and what is the common thread between these pieces?
Jonathan Buckley, better known as, JBUCK, is a multi-talented visual artist and designer who consciously reflects on his life experiences through vibrant, evocative, and woefully captivating paintings. Adopting a reserved personality, you would think his art would be reflective of that, but there’s more to him and his art than what meets the eye. With each piece, he peels back the layers of his psyche and invites you into his world to understand him more thoroughly.
Confronting his problems paintbrush first has allowed him to stockpile a plethora of pieces that explore his innermost thoughts. His storytelling is fleshed out through meticulous brush strokes, defining oil pastels, comforter sized canvasses, designer handbags and even furniture.
Buckley’s work has been showcased throughout Mississippi and parts of Louisiana, but surprisingly it’s been two years since he's done a solo exhibition. One may ask “Why now?”, and in JBUCK’s own words “Any painting you see, I have already worked through those emotions and have no attachment to them.”
I take that as a confirmation of him being ready to shed dead weight and rise to meet the person he is becoming. “PORTRAITS|FACES” is a direct reflection of JBUCK’S thought process as he maneuvers through inner conflict and turmoil.
According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, apathy, in regards to numbness, is “a lack of emotion or emotional expressiveness.” “4yøurentertainment”, as described on the info card posted alongside the artwork, is a visual commentary on how “apathy is creativity’s greatest enemy”.
Pairing this description with a direct interpretation on photographs taken of human zoos in Paris during the early 1900s and his already riveting art style drives us deeper into the state of mind Buckley was in while creating this thought provoking piece.
Under the guise of entertainment, human zoos were objectifying, humiliating, and downright horrifying displays of violent oppression against Black people. They were not seen as human beings but objects placed on this world as a source for people’s amusement. In comparison, social media has become a human zoo of sorts where people display their art and lives in a way that lacks passion and authenticity. The constant pursuit of engagement has created a void in the ethos of artistry, almost leaving no room for reality to shine through. Examining closely, there’s a web connecting JBUCK’s piece, the human zoo photographs, and social media together, which is the concept of ripping away one’s humanity to satisfy others—an idea he now rejects.
Buckley described this particular piece as a turning point in his career where he reached his breaking point on making art through the lens of approval from others. He no longer wanted to chase after the instant gratification of likes, comments, and reposts; what he desired most was authentic human connection, lasting impact and constructive conversations from the art he’s creating and sharing with the public. I believe it’s safe to assume this piece is coming from an artist who has no issue infusing their point of view within their art.
JBUCK has the mystifying ability to shift the way gears turn in people’s minds. When viewing his work, it’s almost as if you’re entering a portal to an unfamiliar territory constructed solely by him. Questions begin to manifest like: “why are people just watching this person exist, is the person being watched JBUCK, what does the flashy red dot in the center of the painting symbolize”, and do the contrasting art styles have any significance to the intended message.” Some of these questions have complex answers and some are as simple, but with each reason, a feeling of magnetic wonder blended with unwavering appreciation forms.
“4yøurentertainment” is a piece that paved the way for me to reflect on my own experiences with how I consume and create art. It confronted the unspoken truths on how social media has everyone stuck in the loop of temporary satisfaction. Not only is it a mirror of today’s time, but also a lesson on how history will continuously repeat itself. For these reasons this piece was an absolute standout for me! Honorable mentions would include: “self-immølation”, “i føund øbsessiøn ... i løst echø”, and “why’d i get emøtiønal”(1-3).
Like a face, a painting is capable of conveying over a thousand emotions. As I look back on the exhibition, “PORTRAITS|FACES” perfectly encapsulates the world JBUCK has spent building for the past few years. Buckley intentionally examines sentiments brought upon by complicated emotions, overbearing egos, and the detrimental and predatory climate on social media platforms.
At its core, this exhibition was an exploration of identity and how it changes as old wounds heal and new ones form. It’s evident in the way JBUCK transforms himself in each painting. Whether it’s a realistic version or stylized cartoon version the true constant is his ability to alchemize after doing the inner work needed to make such profound work. His work is uber unique to his own experiences, yet relatable enough to place yourself in it as though you were living through it alongside him. Being able to witness his growth in such a short amount of time has been a thrill.
Although the exhibition is no longer available for viewing, fret not. “PORTRAITS|FACES” served as the prequel to JBUCK’s main exhibition titled, “i see yøu: a study on the art of attention seeking”. The opening reception and artist talk was held on September 4th from 5pm-7pm at The Arts Center of Mississippi. The exhibition will be on view through September 27th. In the meantime, you can support JBUCK’s journey by following him on Instagram @jbuck.the.artist, @noidols.norivals, and @iheartyou_jpg.
About the writer | bleu-jean
bleu-jean is an artist who has dedicated herself to the arts and its evolution. She’s fashion forward, uber-creative, and multitalented. Throughout her short yet impactful career, she has used her platform to shine a much needed light on Jackson’s ever-growing creative community! She’s helped curate a plethora of events with Thee Groove Collective and other local talents while also developing her own brand as a writer, creative director, stylist, and model! bleu-jean’s powerful, charisma fueled words are formed through unique experiences in her day-to-day life. She writes and performs in a way that’s relatable enough for people to understand who she is while leaving space for people to see themselves in her work. In jean’s words “I was destined to reach people without touching them and open their eyes to what they couldn’t see before. My purpose was made apparently clear the first time i stepped on stage. Finding that purpose made life worth enjoying, not just living.
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