Jennifer Lauren Martin (b. 1990, USA) graduated from the Slade School of Fine Art in 2013. She uses diverse mediums with a strong focus on photography and sculptural installation. Martin’s work is often in response to an environment, the resulting work becomes a collection of observations made concerning landscape, geography, and anthropology. Most recently, Martin has worked with studio photography to examine and present instances of injustice within the American legal system.
In 2013 Martin was nominated for the UK Qatar Artists Exchange at Katara Art Center in Doha, Qatar. The residency was part of the Qatar UK Year of Culture and sponsored by the British Council. Since then Martin has been exhibited in Glasgow, London, Munich, New York, Santander, and Valencia. In 2015, she was shortlisted for the D&AD Next Photographer award in the first year for this category. Martin currently lives and works in London, UK.
Rap Sheet aims to challenge the perception of crime and bring particular convictions with sensitivity to the age of those charged and the penalty, into public awareness. The crimes chosen for this series are non-violent and based from previous convictions that exist in public record.
The photographs depict the instruments and evidence of crimes, which are typically charged to first time offenders. These crimes range from those that have been charged to children as young as 11 years old and adults as old as 89 years old. The title of each photograph reveals the criminal charge for the crime depicted.
As a series Rap Sheet focuses on a broad perspective of overzealous criminal convictions in the United States that cross age demographics. These convictions are part of the legacies that are the ‘zero tolerance’ policy in American school systems, and the ‘broken window’ policy in many American cities.
Photo 1
Third-Degree Felony, Carrying a Dangerous Weapon
Photo 2
C Misdemeanour, Disorderly Conduct
Photo 3
A Misdemeanour, Making Graffiti
Photo 4
Third-Degree Felony, Possessing or Discharging Weapons on School Property
Photo 5
A Misdemeanour, Reckless Conduct
Photo 6
E Felony, Computer Misuse
Photo 7
Third-Degree Felony, Possession of Methamphetamine
Photo 8
Violation, Consumption of Alcohol on Streets Prohibited
Photo 9
Second-Degree Felony, Possession with Intent to Deliver Cocaine
Photo 10
First-Degree Misdemeanour, Petty Theft
