About the artist

Jenna Mulhall-Brereton explores cultural identity and expression through her work. Grounded by a strong interest in what is meaningful to communities and cultures and how those values are expressed, she is intrigued equally by that which is universal—the powerful beauty of everyday moments of human connection—and by the unique expressions of a particular culture.

With a bachelor’s degree in French and Spanish and a master’s degree in International Peace and Conflict Resolution, Mulhall-Brereton brings the perspective of intercultural communication to her photographic work and how it is shared and experienced within communities. 

Mulhall-Brereton’s work is rooted in the documentary storytelling tradition, and she primarily works in black and white. For her, this distills what is most essential in an image—a graphic quality, a gesture, a subtle expression, a quality of light. She maintains a deep and abiding love of film and prints her images by hand in a traditional darkroom. She has been producing her work in this manner since she first became a photographer twenty years ago, and has been fortunate to study with master printmaker Chuck Kelton.

Mulhall-Brereton has also had the opportunity to learn from extraordinary photographers, including Maggie Steber, Peter  Turnley, Ron  Haviv, and Chris Rainier. She is especially grateful to have been able to call Mary Ellen Mark both mentor and friend—as well as an enduring inspiration.

Mulhall-Brereton’s photographs have appeared in juried exhibitions throughout the US and abroad and in a variety of publications, including Mary Ellen Mark on the Portrait and the Moment (Aperture Foundation, 2015).