Jai
Jai Knight is a non-binary insterdisciplinary artist currently living in SW USA. Their work consists of the transformation of literal and metaphorical waste into physical artwork and socially engaged projects integrating ritual in connection with land. Jai received their BFA in painting at Daemen College (NY,2015) and has studied land stewardship throughout Chile (2016-17), 3 month mentorship with Cata Calores at Ecoescuela Vivencial in the lower Atacama Desert, 9 month study at Dhamma Dena Meditation Center (Joshua Tree, CA 2019), Certification in Permaculture and Advanced social systems design with the Women's Permaculture Guild (specializing in Arid Climate adaptation with mentorship from Meiling Colorado, 2020), and works occasionally with Linda Sibio's Cracked Eggs Project (2020-current). Jai has been an artist in Residence at A-Z West in Joshua Tree, CA (2022), UTE AIR in Sunshine Valley, NM (2021-2022), and Lookout Arts Quarry (March/April 2023). Jai's current work with House Oracle Project integrates, natural ink making, woodblock printing, poetry, collaborative meaning making, and community education and recycling through "Recycling Center", paper-making workshop.
"I am a Biospheric artist informed by intensive re-integration and decolonization through solitude in the wilderness, feminist stewardship and herbalism. I consider the whole ecosystem when creating land-based spaces and objects. Art is my tool for transforming trauma. My largest land-based sculpture, Rainwater Harvest, is a 300 ft contour swale located in the Mojave Desert (USA) made to catch rainwater during the wet season, a walkway during dry times, and is the foundation for a food forest. This work is both aesthetic and utilitarian. All of my current work is created using regenerative practices which is accelerated by community involvement. My process is interdisciplinary extending beyond installation into paper, paint, and ink making, sculpture, mapping, and weaving. My intention with creating large-scale land based work is to reconnect humans to the sacred cyclical nature we all embody. "
