Forensic science and art cross paths in new exhibit

A mug shot portrait of Frank Sinatra by Jennifer Hannaford, made with fingerprint ink. Image from Imagine Gallery

Fingerprints take on a new meaning at an upcoming art show at Port Jefferson's Imagine Gallery. Beginning Sept. 21, your perception of a person's one-of-a-kind digit markings will no longer be related only to the collection of evidence at crime scenes or booking of criminals. Jennifer Hannaford has successfully shifted her 20-year career as a forensic scientist and channeled it into an art form that brings criminal mug shots to life. "Science can be rigid sometimes. Bringing creativity to life is fulfilling," explains Hannaford as we discussed her upcoming work in the show titled "Cons and Icons."Hannaford grew up in California in the late 1960s. As a young girl, her experience with drawing was met with "great frustration." Many attempts ended up crumpled on the floor. In college she began studying fashion illustration, but that ended with an urging by her mother to find a career that would "put spaghetti on the table!"Always liking anatomy and the human form, Hannaford ventured into the field of forensic science. She went on to complete her bachelor's and master's degrees in forensic science. Working at crimes scenes in Oakland, Calif., and most recently, Nassau County, she has honed her expertise of recovering latent prints for comparison.However, Hannaford's desire to create was reignited when she began to experiment using her fingerprints and fingerprint ink to create small portraits. Eventually it led her to her first portrait of Mick Jagger. The idea of creating mug shot portraits was born after talking to a gallery owner in Boston about a local hotel, which was at one time a jail. She imagined showing her fingerprint art of Malcolm X and the Boston Strangler at the hotel. The hotel passed on the idea, but Hannaford was not deterred and as a result has since created over 13 portraits using her right index finger to produce a "simultaneous impression."Hannaford explains her artistic process: "In many ways it is the small details that are brought together to form the great picture," similar to her work ethic at crime scenes. Inspired by her favorite artist, Chuck Close, she uses her own fingerprints to create a bigger picture. As in the technique of pointillism, used by Georges Seurat, the artist asks the viewer to put the pieces together by viewing the work.In Hannaford's case, the dots are her fingerprints instead of dots of color. Once you step back from the artwork your brain transforms her individual prints into eyes, mouths, hair and an image of the criminal's emotional state. She laughs and praises her boyfriend Karl Turkel for being "so understanding about the remaining fingerprints on the wall in the living room" where she does her work. "Jen is finally starting to exhibit her skills and she's lifting a lot of eyebrows along the way," says Turkel.John Diaz, Imagine Gallery's owner and curator, met Hannaford eight months ago and the "idea for a show gelled," he said with a huge smile. The work she does is "different than what we have at the gallery. Jennifer takes a moment when people are vulnerable and conveys that moment of emotion," explains Diaz.This show unites the works of the gallery's resident artist, Ocean Clark, and Chris Mackie, who both create vibrant portraits of famous pop icons with Hannaford's "Cons." Along with other icon works by Stephanie Geremito and 9-year-old Setauket resident Bella Ospitale, "it is a combination that works," Diaz eagerly states.Imagine Gallery, 415 E. Main St., Port Jefferson, will present "Cons and Icons" on Sept. 21, with an artist reception from 6 to 9 pm. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 509-5340 or email imagineart@optonline.net. For more information on Imagine Gallery, go to www.imaginefineart.com.