Jae Lily (she/they) is a multidisciplinary artist based in Manchester, UK. They hold a particular interest in illustration, tactility, and abstract digital work that enmeshes the physical with the virtual. Holding a BA (Hons) in Fashion Art Direction from Manchester School of Art/Manchester Fashion Institute, their practice has always been playful, experimental, fluid - inspired by the complexity of humans alongside the mundanity of daily life, they aim to represent ordinary experiences and objects as whimsical, interesting concepts that provoke deeper thoughts about the world that we interact with and how we constantly engage and process endless information, however minute. As a person with autism who has struggled with mental health issues, regaining the curious and wondrous view of the world that they held as a child was the most beneficial part of their recovery; it allowed them to once again appreciate simplicity and extremes, silliness and nuance, intrigue and discovery, connection and nostalgia.
Physicality and kinaesthetic qualities are important parts of their practice; sensory elements and the inclusion of multiple senses elevates the message and the understanding of the work to some is rooted in tactile forms, and through continued exploration, they aim to integrate physicality into their work through immersive environments and concepts that engage viewers in unexpected ways, beyond just visual stimuli.
This sentiment also extends to usage of digital media and exploring our relationships with virtuality in the modern world. How can digital mediums be used to enhance art and shape its meaning? How can virtual processes contribute to accessibility and develop the attributes of a project in synchronicity with human behaviour and experience to present innovative, extraordinary ideas?
Our experience of the modern day is complex, multifaceted, interweaved with others but detached enough to evoke insecurity and fear; through multidimensional outputs and strong conceptual basis, they explore the tangled, brutal, yet beautiful and poetic occurrences of daily life that encourage strength, playfulness, and above all, reminds us to be human.
Jae is the co-founder and creative director for youmatter, an arts & events collective founded on the concept of immersion, hosting a series of exhibitive dance nights platforming local creatives and inviting community with interactivity weaved into the foundations of the events.