The Woodmere art museum will unveil a powerful new exhibition, "Geographies of Freedom: The Art of Jim Bloom," with an opening reception on Friday, Jan. 17, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The exhibition showcases the work of the Allentown-born artist, whose unique artistic journey began following a life-altering car accident.

Bloom, who originally aspired to be a writer, turned to art as he recuperated after a 2002 accident and dealt with a debilitating movement disorder that caused painful muscle contractions and tremors. Bloom was unable to sit for prolonged periods and struggled to cope with his health challenges. He found an outlet for expressing his pain and frustration in art. 

Working with an eclectic array of materials including cardboard, found objects, wood, crayons and various painting media, Bloom cut, layered and painted to create intricate collage-like scenes that often incorporate text and insightful expressions.

The exhibition features works from The Keen Collection at Bethany Mission, a longtime supporter of the artist, and includes Woodmere's own piece from their permanent collection, "(Untitled) Scene from Gay Club." Bloom's art presents a complex vision of Philadelphia intertwined with imagined landscapes, exploring themes of liberation and uncertainty through fragmented, evocative compositions.

His pieces, known for their textured surfaces and raw energy, tackle subjects ranging from personal observations to social commentary, often addressing inappropriate situations, vulnerabilities, and gender issues with bold, unfiltered perspective. The artist says creating his artwork allows him to “go off to another part of myself that’s true.”

The exhibition, which runs through July 13, 2025, presents a comprehensive selection of Bloom's work, including notable pieces such as "City of Women (Jimbo)," "The Lesbians of Opal Lane," and various untitled works depicting intimate human interactions and urban scenes.

The Woodmere is at 9201 Germantown Ave. For information, visit woodmerearatmuseum.org.