Artist Profile: Jay Guo

Origin: Shanghai, China
Currently Exhibiting in: New York City


Social Media: Instagram


Bio:


Jay Guo (b. 2001, Shanghai, China) is a multidisciplinary artist based in New York City whose creative practice spans painting, sculpture, textile art, video, and performance. Her work, deeply influenced by subcultures and psychoanalysis, explores the intricate themes of emotion, trauma, spirituality, mythical creatures, and urban legends. Through a poetic and symbolic visual language, Jay constructs compelling narratives that navigate diverse cultural and social landscapes.

Her approach merges traditional craftsmanship with contemporary issues, bridging the ancient with the modern. Not all of Guo’s works involve traditional craftsmanship, making this approach most relevant to select pieces within her portfolio. Known for her symbolic storytelling, Jay’s artworks invite personal interpretation while offering a universal exploration of the human experience.


Featured Artwork at Bushwick Gallery
An Elephant Sitting Still

  • Year of Creation: 2023
  • Medium: Batik on Handwoven Fabric
  • Dimensions: 14.5 inches x 76 inches
  • Price: $1,400 USD

Description:
An Elephant Sitting Still is a symbolic long-scroll piece created using handwoven fabric and the traditional batik dyeing technique. This artwork draws inspiration from Hu Qian’s novella of the same name, which tells the story of a disoriented young man searching for meaning and redemption after profound personal tragedy. Jay reinterprets this narrative through a system of symbolic imagery, inviting viewers to engage with themes of love, loss, obsession, and healing.

The unique batik method—passed down for nearly 2,000 years—brings a rustic, ancient texture to the piece. Plant-based dyes, sourced locally during her residency in Guizhou, create a visual tension between the fabric’s organic composition and the complexity of its symbolic narrative. The resulting artwork unfolds quietly on the wall, evoking whispered stories of longing and introspection, and offering a meditation on life’s emotional dualities.editation on life’s emotional dualities.

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Exhibition Information

Exhibition Title: Love and Heartbreak: A Duality
Opening Reception: Thursday, February 13 / 6PM-8PM
Exhibition Dates: February 13 – February 20
Theme: Juxtaposing the themes of love and heartbreak, this exhibition captures the emotional spectrum of relationships, from blissful connection to painful separation. Jay Guo’s An Elephant Sitting Still contributes a powerful, symbolic element to this theme, exploring the aftermath of emotional trauma and the quiet, persistent search for healing. Through its intricate use of symbols and traditional craftsmanship, the work engages viewers in a dialogue about longing, loss, and reconciliation.