An online fine art photography journal and platform featured a photography project by a University of New Mexico (UNM) lecturer.
Jessamyn Lovell, a principal lecturer in UNM’s art department, is a gender-fluid artist and licensed private investigator based in Albuquerque. LENSCRATCH published their project “How to Become Invisible,” highlighting the message behind their recent work.
The article lists and explains many of their disguises. These include Guardia de Seguridad para el Pueblo (Security Guard), Motel Maid Disguise (“Joyce”), Professional Woman Disguise (“Laura”), Pro-Life Activist Disguise (“Laurel”), and Barfly Disguise (“Chelsea”), among others.
About LENSCRATCH
Artist and educator Aline Smithson founded LENSCRATCH. The platform supports and celebrates photographic arts and artists through exposure, discussion, community collaboration, and education initiatives.
It aims to foster rich critical and cultural discourse on photography’s complex role, reflecting diverse community voices.
LENSCRATCH began as an individual pursuit to broaden exposure for photographers by actively seeking out and engaging with their work. Since then, other artists have joined LENSCRATCH as volunteers to sustain and expand the platform. Contributing editors and writers also contribute engaging content to support its growth.
Lovell’s Background and Works
Lovell holds a BFA from Rochester Institute of Technology and an MFA from California College of the Arts.
They are integrating their private investigator skills into their art as an ongoing conceptual piece, titled D.I.Y. P.I. (Do It Yourself Private Investigation). They also work with the internationally known performance troupe La Pocha Nostra as a producer and performer.
Lovell has received several awards, including the Aperture Portfolio Prize and the Center for Teaching Excellence in Teaching Award. They were named a Center for Teaching Excellence Fellow at UNM.
Lovell’s work on the No Trespassing project, where they surreptitiously documented their estranged father, and Dear Erin Hart, where they tracked and photographed their identity thief, led them to obtain a private investigator’s license.
Their work appeared in media outlets, including Hyperallergic, Wired, This American Life, the Today Show, BBC World News and others.