Based in Manchester, England, Jae is an enthusiastic, determined, and highly motivated creative working across a range of disciplines, with over seven years of creative experience and a focus on visual art, creative technologies, socially-engaged practice, and new media works, and holding a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Fashion Art Direction from Manchester School of Art/Manchester Fashion Institute. They are also currently pursuing an MA in Higher Education, fully-funded through their work at Manchester Metropolitan Unviersity, which enables them to develop their professional practice while critically investigating the systems in which education operates. Their academic interests include accessibility and inclusivity, institutional policies and educational systems, participation and the potential for structural change, particularly in relation to who is able to access education and how this access can be widened, how institutions communicate and distribute knowledge, and how barriers to participation can be identified and challenged.
Their ongoing research project, Samtidsritualisme [Contemporary Ritualism], positions the idea of ritual as a contemporary and evolving form of knowledge-making and sharing that draws inspiration from folklore, digital cultures, archival practices and everyday behaviours. This project queries how rituals can emerge within technological environments and how they might help us understand the motivations and thresholds between online and offline behaviours, and how we implement ideas of humanism into the relationships developed with the modern-day reliance of computers. Jae is particularly interested in the tensions between physical and digital forms of meaning-making, and in how technologies can become tools through which people learn, document, communicate and construct shared understandings.
This research informs an increasingly experimental and interdisciplinary practice spanning printmaking, self-publishing, bookmaking and 3D/scupltural works, alongside moving image, photography, immersive installation, projection, spatial design and interactive digital work. Jae works with creative technologies including TouchDesigner, projection mapping, LIDAR/photogrammetry, 360° video and thermal imaging, using technological processes as tools of production as well as subjects through which questions of access, participation, surveillance, learning and human–machine relationships can be explored.
Jae’s empathetic and understanding nature is prevalent in their work in front-line student support at Manchester Metropolitan University, and has contributed significantly to their previous success in managerial roles within student accommodation. They have also held roles as production and rigging crew and as marketing manager for a sports and nutrition brand, creating marketing materials and building strong visual identity as well as facilitating live events and documentation of these.
Alongside their full-time student support role, they are also a mentor for Arts Emergency, working with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to help them access the arts industry and pursue creative careers and/or higher education. They are passionate about helping to provide others with opportunities and support that they did not receive, backed by an understanding of how this can contribute to their future success.
Jae is also co-director and founder of youmatter, an events collective dedicated to creating immersive dance nights and exhibitions that strongly encourage the idea of active participation, involving attendees in the visual design of the spaces and shaping the enviroment around movement and community. They are also part of a freelance photography and videography collective, capturing events and exhibitions around the UK and creating coherent content underpinned by a developed understanding of storytelling and visual communication.
Recent collaborations have included Notts Zine Fest, Nice One, kaoti, Manchester Metropolitan University, Mukes, Myth Manchester, The Derby Brewery Arms, Sweettooth Presents and Llou’s, alongside creative and exhibition projects with other independent artists and organisations.
May 2025 - Present: Manchester Metropolitan University
Providing assistance to prospective, current, and previous students of Manchester Metropolitan University with a wide range of queries, ranging from assessment and exam guidance to studying abroad and placement years, from accommodation advice to financial support. First line of contact for students and equipped to resolve their issues where possible, and signpost to appropriate departments for more specialised help. Contacting students via face-to-face meetings, live chats, phone lines and emails, as well as managing student records and collaboration across the wider scope of the university departments for more complex requests. Assistance with assessment management, visa and international teams, and student record operations departments.
Nominee for Manchester Metropolitan Staff Awards 2026, for innovation in introducing accessible communication channels to Professional Services departments, facilitation of arts workshops for staff and student wellbeing, and continued commitment to inclusivity and student support.
June 2026: Manchester School of Art
Supporting on installation, curation, technical set-up, and providing assistance with crowd flow, wayfinding, and health & safety guidance.
September 2025 - Present: Arts Emergency
Mentor for a young person from an underrepresented background, providing guidance on higher education, career paths, exploration of practice, and artist branding.
June 2025 - Present: Dotty Poppy Collective
Contributing artist to Dotty Poppy Collective, a queer-owned independent art store in Afflecks Palace, Manchester. Frequent collaboration on events.
June 2025 - December 2025: NQ Photo Studio
Held a shared art studio within the building; assistance with photo studio management, client bookings, marketing, and admin.
October 2024 - May 2025: NUCO Travel
Seasonal contract at a ski & snowboard travel company with a focus on student snowsports. Provided continual support for passengers on trips via phone lines, email, and live chat and managed bookings through an internally-built custom software. Also collaborated with the larger teams to organise events, created and distributed promotional materials (such as emails with latest deals on trips and social media posts) and internal communications, and arranged bookings for the next ski season. Facilitated communication with overseas suppliers in both English and French.
July 2023 - September 2024: Unite Students
Provided front-facing support to students within a 520-bed accommodation complex, ensuring a positive living and study experience whilst managing room sales and lettings for Unite Students. Liaised with students, guarantors, and prospective customers via phone and email, maintaining a friendly and approachable attitude. Joined during a critical period in the academic year and contributed to the successful turnaround and management of rooms during check-out, leading to promotion from Team Member to Team Leader within five months. Subsequently managed a team of seven staff members and oversaw overall operations at Bridgewater Heights, developing skills in people management, rota creation, scheduling, HR administration, and cross-city liaison with senior management and sales teams. Also acted as events manager for the building, organising and promoting student events through local business partnerships, budget planning, stock management, and the creation of marketing materials for print and on-site promotion.
March 2017 - June 2019: The Presentation Group
Assisted with construction and setup of biomedical conferences for various companies such as Pfizer and Chameleon. Assembled sets, cameras, and lighting rigs, and acted as photographer of the events for feature on the company websites and use on promotional material.
July 2016 - October 2018: LiveWell Health
Photographed live gym and sports events, and created graphics and logos for use on the company site. Frequently updated the company’s blog and social media accounts to maintain high search rankings and an active company profile.
September 2027 - July 2029
MA Fine Art
September 2026 - September 2027
MA in Higher Education
Manchester Metropolitan University
Fully-funded through work at MMU
September 2026 - December 2026
Shaders for The Rest of Us
School for Poetic Computation - New York
Supported by SFPC Scholarship
September 2018 - July 2023
BA (Hons) Fashion Art Direction
Manchester School of Art & Manchester Fashion Institute
First in final theory paper on the role of women in East Asian media; published online
July 2022
Japanese Language Proficiency Test
SOAS University of London
‘N5’ (CEFR A2) certificate awarded in listening, reading and writing Japanese language
September 2016 - June 2018
Distinction in UAL Level 3 Art & Design Diploma
B in A Level Fine Art, Drama, and AS Media Studies
Birmingham Metropolitan College
September 2011 - June 2016
Grades A*- C across 9 GCSEs
Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls
August 2026: SFPC Scholarship recipient - School for Poetic Computation, New York City, online course/residency
January 2026: ‘1000 Digital Sheep’ - No Jobs In The Arts, online residency
October 2025: ‘Explore’ strand (£5,000) - Immersive Arts UK, for the development of ‘youmatter’ : an immersive arts & dance collective (shortlist)
March 2025: Manchester Artist Bursary 24/25 recipient - Something To Aim For
April 2018: Birmingham Metropolitan College Student Design Award recipient. Designing visual communication material for usage around the institution.
Snake Bites Tail: Ouroboric Rituals of Machine ‘Learning’ - August 2026. Self-published.
zine, archive, abandoned: geocities relics and the web users behind them - August 2026. Self-published.
do you accept? - August 2026. Digitally published web-based narrative.
Community (title TBC) - July 2026. Published via The Queer Collective.
Mother Culture: computation and ecology - June 2026. Self-published.
An Abusive Relationship With My Computer - May 2026. Self-published.
Objekter å stå ved [Objects For Standing Near] - May 2026. Self-published.
JUST MAKE THE F*CKING ZINE - March 2026. Self-published.
BASSFACE 02 - January 2026. Self-published.
IBIZA FOREVER: Notes on transiency from the party capital of the world - November 2025. Self-published.
Welcome Home - November 2025. Written in 2019; self-published in 2025.
BASSFACE 01 - October 2025. Self-published.
IV - May 2018. Self-published.
Arts organisation and community confronting class-based barriers within the creative industries.
Showcase for artists based across the North of England.
Curated directory of worldwide creatives working across art, media, design and fashion.
Platform for artists who encounter significant barriers to the art world due to health, disability, social circumstance, or isolation.
2027
Kryssingen [The Crossing] - solo exhibition; organiser and curator, date TBC
Location TBC
Early 2027
fragments, together - digital group exhibition; organiser and curator
Online - Worldwide
November 2026
Oslo Zine Fest - exhibiting + talk & workshop facilitation
ROM for Kunst og Arkitektur / Tenthaus / Deichman Grünerløkka - Oslo, Norway
‘Our Inner Worlds: Expressions of Our Lived Experience’ - group exhibition & workshop facilitation
Holden Gallery - Manchester, UK
October 2026
GONE NORF (title TBC)- group exhibition
Carlton Club - Manchester, UK
September 2026
Berlin New Media Week - invited participant
Multiple venues - Berlin, Germany
August 2026
‘Discomfort Zone’ - group exhibition & publication
Meld Collective - Online, worldwide
Release The Hounds - group exhibition
Sandbar - Manchester, UK
July 2026 - August 2026
‘AngeIIs of HTML5’ - group exhibition
Online - Worldwide
June 2026
PRAXIS - group exhibition
Derby Brewery Arms - Manchester, UK
‘masterplan’ - kaoti - music video commission; co-creative director and videographer
Manchester, UK
Myth Midsummer - group exhibition & workshop facilitation
Carlton Club - Manchester, UK
May 2026
Nice One At The Club 2 - group exhibition
Green Arches - Manchester, UK
‘KYOOT BREAK’ - bleak - animated music video commission; co-creative director, animator and editor
Manchester, UK
April 2026
‘PHOTO EXPO: An Ode To Manchester’s Rave Scene’ - group exhibition
Derby Brewery Arms - Manchester, UK
February 2026
‘Coccinelle Club’ - group exhibition
Aatma - Manchester, UK
T3A - group exhibition
Off The Square - Manchester, UK
November 2025
Notts Zine Fest - immersive/360° video commission for promotional material; videographer and editor
Nottingham Central Library - Nottingham, UK
September 2025
‘Cabaret for Uncle Tata’ - fundraiser poster commissioned by Sweettooth Presents
SEESAW - Manchester, UK
January 2025 - December 2025
bleak - monthly mix covers commission
Manchester, UK
December 2024
‘WORN’ / ‘bask’ - bleak - vinyl EPs commission; designer
Manchester, UK
November 2026
- Oslo Zine Fest, Oslo, Norway / Workshop facilitation & talk
- ‘Our Inner Worlds: Expressions of Our Lived Experience’ / Exhibiting artist & workshop facilitator
October 2026
- GONE NORF, Manchester / Exhibiting artist
September 2026
- Berlin New Media Week, Berlin, Germany / Invited participant
August 2026
- Barnsley Zine Fair, Sheffield
- Lancaster Art Fair, Lancaster
July 2026
- Notts Big Queer Market, Nottingham
- AngeIIs of HTML5, worldwide / Exhibiting artist
June 2026
- PRAXIS, Manchester
- Stockport Zine and Print Fair, Greater Manchester
- Press & Destress workshop, MMU / Facilitator
- Myth Midsummer, Manchester / Workshop facilitator
May 2026
- FREAK QUEER RAVE, Manchester
- Press & Destress workshop, MMU / Facilitator
- Withy Hearts Arts, Manchester
- RIPOSTE, London
- Nice One at the Club, Chorlton / Exhibiting artist and stallholder
- Studio Greenly’s Spring Queer Market, Leeds
April 2026
- PHOTO EXPO: An Ode To Manchester’s Rave Scene, Manchester / Exhibiting artist
- koti party playground, Manchester
- Liverpool Queer Fest, Liverpool
March 2026
- Pixelate Manchester
February 2026
- T3A MCR / Exhibiting artist and photographer
- Coccinelle Club, Manchester / Exhibiting artist and stallholder
- Barnsley Zine Fair, Sheffield
January 2026
[zzz]
December 2025
- Proudly Made Xmas Market, Macclesfield
- Queermas x Moonbuns, Nottingham
- Festive Weekender @ Projekts, Manchester
November 2025
- Notts Zine Fest, Nottingham / Stallholder and videographer
- Manchester Community Pride, Salford
- Blue Moon Christmas Market, Birmingham
October 2025
- Pubshroom, Manchester / Photographer
- cheXbox x MMU LGBT Society: Drag by Daylight Ball, Manchester
- FREAK QUEER RAVE, Manchester
- Slay @ DBA Halloween, Manchester / Photographer
September 2025
- ALT Pride x MUD, Manchester
- Platt Fields Art Market, Manchester
- Open Art Spaces: Portobello Road, London
- Nice One Turns 2, Manchester / Exhibiting artist and stallholder
August 2025
- Hot Bed Press: Summer Print Fair, Salford
July 2025
- Proudly Made Market, Macclesfield
- Press & Destress workshop, MMU / Facilitator
- Little Fox Craft Market, Leeds
- Manchester Queer Art Market x Queer As F*ck @ Feel Good Club, Manchester
- Blue Moon Market, Birmingham
June 2025
- Prestatyn Pride, Wales
- Platt Fields Art Market, Manchester
- Press & Destress workshop, MMU / Facilitator
April 2018: Birmingham Metropolitan College Student Design Award recipient. Designing visual communication material for usage around the institution.
November 2017: Fully funded research trip/exchange with Berufsbildende Schule Betzdorf-Kirchen in Siegen & Betzdorf, Germany, as part of Erasmus arts mobility scheme.
April 2017: Fully funded research trip/exchange with IES Ruiz de Alda in San Javier, Spain,as part of Erasmus arts mobility scheme. Collaboration with Museo de San Javier.
Full Enhanced DBS Certificate available upon request.
Basic First Aid and Mental Health First Aid trained.
Conversational Japanese and French language level. Basic Norwegian and Spanish language levels.