Meeson Jessica Pae’s work explores the interiors of the body as sensual architecture and machine, where fleshy soft bits and bodily fluids undulate and transform into otherness. Her work often oscillates between representation and abstraction, micro and macro, to biological and mechanical, with a slippery layer of sensual pleasure.
Whether it be extreme microscopic views of cell structure, folded crevices of flesh, to mechanical interventions, there is an element of exploring the body as landscape, architecture, and machine.
Fluid gestures and undulating forms are used to create entangled, mysterious, asymmetric compositions where fleshy folds, dripping refractions of bodily fluids, and mechanical machine components create relationships and function symbiotically.
The process involves using 3D modelling software and VR sculpting to create organic forms, custom lights, environments, and physically impossible scenes within the unrestricted bounds of digital technology.
The process involves a methodical collecting of artifacts, images, and sounds to synthesize and compress into expansive visual fields. Working in a variety of media from painting, video, sculpture and installation, each medium is a tool to process natural phenomena from the interior to exterior.
Meeson Jessica Pae was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, and currently lives and works in Los Angeles and Seoul. She holds a BA in fine art from University of California Los Angeles. She will have her first solo exhibition with Carl Kostyál in London in December 2023.
She is a recipient of the James Irvine Foundation’s California New Visions Award, the Durfee Foundation’s ARC award, the Hans G. and Lordis W. Burkhardt Foundation Award, AHL Foundation Award, and the Beverly Alpay Award.
Her public art projects include Le Meridien Hotel (Zhengzhou, China), Royal Caribbean International Ltd (Papenburg, Germany), Internet Brands (El Segundo, CA), WebMD (Newark, NJ), Phoenix Biomedical University Campus (Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture), M&D Properties (Pasadena Arts & Culture Commission), LAX International Airport (Department of Cultural Affairs), Ontario Airport (Department of Cultural Affairs), and Mobile Exhibits (Arts Council for Long Beach. She has been featured in Sculpture Magazine, Art Ltd Magazine, Theme Magazine, New Scientist, the Korea Times, Los Angeles Times, and Vice:The Creators Project.
Her solo exhibitions and group exhibitions have been shown internationally throughout Asia and Europe as well as nationally: Nexx Asia (Taipei, Taiwan), Chimea Museum (Tainan, Taiwan), Peter Millard & Partners (London, UK), Harvard University’s, Carpenter Center (Cambridge, US), Exploratorium Museum (San Francisco, US), Torrance Art Museum (Torrance, US), Kala Art, Institute (Berkeley, US), Japanese American National Museum (Los Angeles, US)
