Jessi Reaves (born 1986) is an American artist based in
New York City who uses the relationship between art and design as a material in her practice,[1] often making work that operates as both furniture and sculpture.[2]
Jessi Reaves has been included in group exhibitions such as Natural Flavor at Ludlow 38, New York (2015); Pavillon de L'Esprit Nouveau: A 21st Century Show Home at Swiss Institute, New York (2015); and American Basketry at Bed Stuy Love Affair, New York (2014). She presented her first solo exhibition at Bridget Donahue, New York in April 2016.[5] In 2017, she participated in the
Whitney Biennial, creating inviting upholstered pieces meant to be utilized in the gallery. “Rejecting the sleek craftsmanship of iconic midcentury design, Reaves exaggerates markers of construction to an almost aggressive abundance,” note co-curators
Christopher Y. Lew and
Mia Locks.[6]
In 2018, Reaves contributed a sculpture to the
Eckhaus Latta show, Possessed, at the
Whitney Museum.[7] The first fashion-related exhibition at the Whitney in 21 years, the label curated their friends' art amongst the sculptural retail environment they created for the show.[8]