Jess Self

CELESTIAL PERSPECTIVES – JESS SELF

April 11 – June 21, 2026

A Solo Exhibition in the Terri Strickland Cole Galleries

Celestial Perspectives is an installation-based exhibition of textile artwork created by Jess Self that reimagines the given space as a multi-dimensional portal. Intricately hand-woven using a variety of patterns and various techniques, the artwork at the heart of this exhibition mimics the pulsing code of the Matrix—both a cosmic map and a textile labyrinth. The installation is an invitation to wander, to slow down and perceive the symbolic language of color, material, and form. The viewer is asked to navigate the space physically and psychologically, passing between veils, encountering figures, and contemplating the thin walls between timelines, histories, and selves.

Jess Self is a sculptor and educator based in Decatur, GA. Her work explores materiality, archetypes, and cultural narratives through wax, wool, wood, and textiles. By integrating craft traditions and storytelling, her figurative sculptures examine spirituality and the human experience.
Self earned her MFA in Sculpture from Georgia State University and her BFA from Warren Wilson College. She has exhibited nationally and internationally, including solo exhibitions at, the Hudgens Center for the Arts, Echo Contemporary and the Loudon House and Group shows like ArtFields. Her work has been recognized with awards such as the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant and the Hudgens Prize Finalist Award.
In addition to her studio practice, Self teaches at the University of North Georgia. She has led courses in textiles, sculpture, and design, blending technical skill with conceptual depth. Through mentorship and workshops, she encourages appreciation for craft in contemporary art.
Self’s work continues to evolve as she explores the intersection of history, materiality, and human narratives, pushing the boundaries of traditional craft and contemporary sculpture.

Learn more at www.jesslself.com