Jane Goren Brings the Art of Filmmaking to Her Canvas
Portraits of filmmakers and cinematic celebrities during the time of the Academy Award campaigns are the current work off artist, Jane Goren, using a bonsai-sized sketchbook and a ball point pen.
During the many decades of her career as an artist, Jane Goren has explored the use of mixed artistic media to express a variety of cultural, political and social themes in her work.
For this particular series, the New York-born and LA-based artist creates on-site work once the credits have rolled and the director’s talk begins.
You will usually find her sitting up front with great focus when directors, cinematographers or leading actors take center stage for the Q&A session. That is when she uses the very little time allotted to her to capture the amazing stars of the big screen in a tiny format.
She has always been passionate about her art, while her passion for film was greatly inspired by her husband Gary Shapiro, formerly a senior VP with Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Gary has been a Member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences for several decades with the responsibility of viewing and rating international film submissions for the Oscars.
Jane is not merely his “plus one” at screenings for both international and domestic films in LA and at film festivals around the world. Together they are seen and well known as one of the two couples always seen together at the Academy screenings and receptions.
The Nominees for Best International Film above are:
Matteo Garrone /Io Capitano /Italy
Wim Wenders/Perfect Days/Japan
Juan A Bayone/Society Of Snow/Spain
Ilker Çatak/The Teacher’s Lounge/Germany
James Wilson, producer/Zone Of Interest/England
To quote Goren, “It all must happen very fast — I like to think of it as speed-sketching. The thrill of the moment, the celebrity factor and the immense talent they possess all come together in a sitting that may only last 5 minutes and that I express on an area no larger than 5x5 inches.”
Afterwards, the cinematic greats pay tribute to Jane’s talent by autographing her works, maybe even lingering to exchange a few words or to take a selfie with her. Most recently, she had the honor of posing with one of her latest subjects — multitalented George Clooney — after the screening of his 2023 The Boys in the Boat. The two of them huddled together for the shot, while Amal Clooney coaxed them to “Say cheese!”.
Jane Goren has exhibited extensively throughout the United States and internationally. Her work appears in notable public and private collections, including Mercedes Benz, The National Public Library, Camel’s Garden Hotel Telluride, Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences Library, Women In Film, Paris Bar Berlin, President Fidel Castro, Anne & Ivan Passer (renowned Czech filmmaker) Vaclav Havel (first president of the Czech Republic post communism), Andrea Jaffe (former president of marketing for Fox), along with many global collectors.
Instagram: @janegoren @auntiegraffiti
