Ross + Kramer is pleased to present Jess Xiaoyi Han’s third solo exhibition with the gallery, entitled Mimesis, opening October 10, 2024. The exhibition will be on view through November 16, 2024 at the gallery’s New York location.
In her latest body of work, Han confronts aesthetic philosophical concepts of imitation and representation, reimagining their utility and relevance in our contemporary, information-saturated world. The artist employs an expressive palette of alkyd and oil paints in her intricate abstract works. Composed of soft, organic shapes and trailing tendrils that intertwine and unfold like living organisms, Han’s paintings evoke the complex and delicate balance of ecosystems, embodying a reflection of the artist’s internal emotional dialogue and experiences.
In addition to showcasing some of Han’s largest-scale paintings to date, the exhibition will also debut the artist’s latest foray into ceramics. This collection of works emerges from the artist’s own deeply personal journey of self-reflection, grappling with the nature of desire and authenticity in an age where influences and information abound. Inspired by Plato’s allegory of the cave and Aristotle’s Poetics, Mimesis explores the notion that imitation transcends mere replication. For the artist and viewers alike, this body of work serves as an avenue to investigate the interplay between reality, perception, and interpretation within the context of one’s own experience. From immersive, large-scale paintings to small, intimate ceramic pieces that invite quiet contemplation, each work is an attempt by the artist to illuminate the often invisible forces of mimetic desire that ultimately shape one’s identity.
On the exhibition, the artist states: “It is my hope that this exhibition will prompt visitors to sift through their own mimetic influences, questioning the origins of their ideas and aspirations, and ultimately attuning to their authentic selves. Mimesis is not about rejecting external influences; rather, it advocates for discernment. This exhibition serves as a space for reflection, allowing us to engage with the richness of our cultural context while maintaining our individuality. In a world awash with information, Mimesis creates an opportunity for pause, reflection, and a deeper understanding of our own nature and the forces that shape us.”
Jess Xiaoyi Han (b. 1997 in Dalian, China) has lived between New York and China for most of her life and is currently based in Brooklyn, New York. She received her BFA from School of Visual Arts (SVA) with a concentration in illustration. Han’s work has been exhibited internationally, with solo exhibitions at Sens Gallery, Hong Kong; Bridge Gallery, Sanya; Ross + Kramer Gallery, New York and East Hampton; and group exhibitions at Phillips, New York; COL Gallery, San Francisco, CA; Rusha & Co., Los Angeles; Longstoryshort, Paris; FIR Gallery, Beijing, China; and Latitude Gallery, New York.
Mimesis will be on view October 10–November 16, 2024 at Ross + Kramer New York, located at 515 W 27th St, New York, NY. The gallery is open to the public Tuesday–Saturday, 11am–6pm.
