A master of participatory, liminal spaces invoking the power of story-telling, glossolalia, vocals and movement in addition to film, with one goal being “to produce an alchemical unity between myself and witnesses in the audience,” says Jaguar. Influenced by afro-futurist tropes, black feminist thought and speech act theory, her work traverses the realm of shamanism and the supernatural. “There’s so much more to this reality than we know. My greatest challenges and inspirations as an artist are making work that brings witnesses into liminal, in-between spaces via sound, movement and film.” Born of a Mother who was a singer/songwriter, Jaguar Mary X has been surrounded by creative people her entire life. Meanwhile the artist’s father, “in his pragmatic, middle-class aspirational way, suggested that I become a doctor or lawyer. The key word is ‘suggested.’ I wasn’t forced to go in any particular direction. I was brought up to respond to my heart’s murmurings even if those intuitive impulses proved to be harder, unpopular and/or financially challenging. To call oneself an artist is a powerful statement. It’s also a responsibility to respond to, as Nina Simone says, ‘the times in which I find myself.’” Jaguar names Kali Maie, White Star, Astrea Aurora, Jane Carleton, Vickie Dodd, Jonathan Goldman and Tom Kenyon as important teachers who have guided her ritual practice. Malidoma Some, Audre Lorde, Tracie Morris and Fred Moten are others who have influenced her thought. The artist works on her computer and “wherever I can sleep and dream.” Libraries and even the train are great work spaces for Jaguar Mary. “My greatest challenges and inspirations as an artist are making work that brings witness to liminal, in-between spaces via sound, movement and film,” says Mary. Currently, she’s working on a series of glossolalia-infused music called “The First Songs.” She’s also designing costumes for upcoming performances. “I’m interested [in] how the body traverses public and private spaces through what is revealed or cloaked through clothing. I often do ritual performance fully-clothed in sheer, see-through fabric.” Ultimately, she’s planning a world-wide tour of glossolalia and ritual performance art in collaboration with international artists and artist-run spaces.
Collaborate with Jaguar Mary X by emailing info@kaliartproject.com