Jai Sallay-Carrington is a figurative ceramic sculptor creating works about human identities, behaviour and emotions using anthropomorphic creatures. Reflecting on their queer and non-binary gender identity, Jai creates sculptures which challenge and analyze the dominant heteronormative and cisgendered society. They question the role that these identities have in forming an individual’s character and placement within their culture. Jai’s sculptures speak to a feeling of otherness, but not necessarily of physical traits that can be immediately viewed by the public. These identities exist within, they are either shared or kept a secret. The zoomorphic qualities of their sculptures shed light on those human characteristics hidden from the naked eye. As each animal comes with its own unique qualities, as well as the myths and stories associated with them, when anthropomorphized, their addition to the human form creates a deeper understanding of that individual’s personality and experiences.

Interested in this piece? Reach out to our gallery manager at livinglese@chicagofineartsalon.com.