JASMINE JUE
TRANSMOGRIFY

interview Jorge Perezchica

So, Jasmine, tell us about yourself. Did you always want to be an artist?

I grew up in Indio and I’ve been drawing and painting as long as I can remember. My mother said that I first started drawing when I was one. I loved drawing people. Art has always been a big part of my family; we have submersed ourselves and have surrounded ourselves in it. Yes, I think in the back of my mind I have always wanted to be an artist.

I notice lots of teeth and flesh in your latest work — what inspired you to go in this direction?

I would have to say that it’s my fascination with the entire human body. Admiring the inner workings of the body, as well as seeing beauty in the exterior display of flesh. In my most recent work I was painting strange transforming human sets of teeth and their stages of mutations; with the idea of exploring the connections of our own naturally occurring inner mutations and when science becomes incorporated into rebuilding these structures. These duplicated and mirrored forms originate from looking at teeth stem cells and the way they will be able to regenerate our teeth.

Another reason why I have chosen to use teeth in my work is that they also stand in as representations of us as a whole and erase the boundary line of gender; because it is a naturally occurring process that happens to all of us.  So it’s a connection in which we can all relate to and at the same time keep in mind that teeth are unique to the individual just like a fingerprint; both being personal identifiers.

With the advancements of scientific research on the regenerative properties of the stem cells, it’s as if science is becoming the next evolutionary step. The fact that they are focusing research on teeth intrigued me since naturally the most mutations of our teeth occur during our childhood, when new teeth are being formed and old pushed out. This normally happens at an influential part of life, where memories are usually forgotten but impact choices made as an adult.

Who are some artists that have influenced your work? 

Andreas Dobler, Justin Bower, Hannah Stouffer, Shawn Barber, Dan Quintana.

You just earned your MFA at Claremont. What was your college experience like? What do you feel are the pros and cons about college?

It was incredible! I had my very own studio that I had access to 24/7, with a workshop, for the first time! Meeting with professors one on one to talk about my work was extremely helpful. Also building connections and learning from my fellow classmates. A definite con would be the price you have to pay to go to college.

What do you enjoy the most about being an artist? And how did growing up in the Coachella Valley impact you?

Mixing my palette and getting my work laid out. Just being in that moment and zoning out everything else that’s going on around me. Being able to express myself without words.  I think it taught me how to utilize inexpensive materials and to recreate them into something more refined.

I recall when you were younger you expressed interest in computer games as a career, does that still interest you? Outside of painting, what else do you enjoy doing creatively?

I am still interested in possibly being an illustrator for video games. I really enjoyed playing video games at a young age and I still do to this day. I also love sculpting with clay and cooking.

What’s the next step in your career?

To be honest, I’m not too sure yet, but I’m possibly looking at teaching art. Ideally, I would love to open up my own gallery.

INSTAGRAM: @JASMINEJUE
WEB: YEHSIMINGJUE.COM