| My main focus through my work is to explore what constitutes the universal. This translates to repeating motifs that are often inspired by myths and spiritual symbols. It also takes root in my process of art making. I am very obsessive; I find myself creating a world through repetition of line and shape. This has evolved into a daily meditation. I create non-linear narratives and symbols as a way to illustrate transformation through figurative art. In my own life and through my work I am constantly searching for the place where dream, myth, and reality merge. I feel bombarded by our modern society, where visual language is largely used to sell our capitalistic nation, to the world and us. Yet visual language is how I work through my own personal battles as well as communicate with others. | 
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Jessie Rose Vala
Jessie Rose Vala, Lace Overtures (detail), 2007. Paper, lights, wood, velvet. Courtesy of the artist and Motel Projects.My main focus through my work is to explore what constitutes the universal. This translates to repeating motifs that are often inspired by myths and spiritual symbols.
It also takes root in my process of art making. I am very obsessive; I find myself creating a world through repetition of line and shape. This has evolved into a daily meditation.
I create non-linear narratives and symbols as a way to illustrate transformation through figurative art. In my own life and through my work I am constantly searching for the place where dream, myth, and reality merge. I feel bombarded by our modern society, where visual language is largely used to sell our capitalistic nation, to the world and us. Yet visual language is how I work through my own personal battles as well as communicate with others. I realize how lucky I am to be living following my dream and finding platforms on which to share my work.
I truly believe that humanity will regain a peaceful conspicuousness through creative intelligence. I am convinced one of humanity’s greatest gifts is to reflect nature’s beauty and creativity. Through the process of art making we learn the skills to transcend our own nature and the society of which we are a part.
I am a huge lover of books. Through books I find so much inspiration, especially art books and comics. So this last year I decided to self-publish a book with Motel Projects on design and layout called The Tortuous Veil. The images come from my last solo show at Motel Gallery in Portland, Oregon. This installation consisted of four large-scale graphic drawings and paper sculpture. Tortuous Veil is a mythological non-linear narrative negotiating the connections between the psychological subconscious, archaic tropes, and contemporary metaphors. The title of the exhibition refers to Isis’ veil, the thin and mutable barrier between the conscious and unconscious worlds. Drawing heavily on ancient myths, I explore the fears, powers, violence, and destruction associated with four archetypes, the Werewolf, the Zombie, the Shape-Shifter and the Vampire. These conflicts serve as critical allegories for the real-world issues of environmental degradation, over-consumption, mob mentality, and political instability.
Recently my mind has been filled with thoughts of the established art world. I have recently been reading many of Hundertwasser’s manifestos and Judy Chicago’s Through the Flower. Hundertwasser once said, “Contemporary art has become intellectual masturbation.” I was thrilled to read this; it is hilarious, harsh, and to the point. Too often I feel the hierarchal system of galleries and museums confuses the power and transcendence of art. I strive for a world where art is accessible to the masses, inclusive instead of exclusive. So my question of late is: What can I do to help facilitate this change? I hope in my life I will see great change in our perspective toward a worldview where inclusive holistic vision reigns instead of one ruled by dualism and power.
