In my work, I treat the body as a site of negotiation. Drawing from my background in UI/UX design, I explore the 'base flow' of human intimacy. Specifically,the point where connection becomes a constraint.
We naturally view life through a self-centered lens, but these wearables force an immediate shift in priority. To wear these pieces is to lose autonomy; a necklace cannot be worn alone, and a ring becomes a fetter. I am fascinated by the 'knots' we become to one another; often tied together by the fragile notes of politeness and social expectation.
I document both the forced choreography that is set by the pieces themselves and the natural adjustments the wearer goes through . When one person moves, the other must react in tandem, whether in sync or in resistance. What do we truly compromise to maintain these ties? At what point does the tension of 'us' finally snap the individual?
Gleimi De Jesus (b. 2001, Dominican Republic) is an interdisciplinary artist based in Tampa, Florida. Raised within a multicultural and bilingual household, De Jesus developed an early obsession with how individuals adapt, negotiate, and compromise within social structures. This psychological curiosity drives an artistic practice that spans painting, video, and kinetic sculpture.
De Jesus creates wearable art and social interfaces that challenge human autonomy. By merging principles of UX/UI design with physical materials, the work investigates the friction of human intimacy, specifically looking at the point where connection transforms into constraint. Through interactive jewelry and performance-based objects, De Jesus forces wearers into a shared and often tense choreography to question the underlying motives and hidden dependencies that dictate our relationships.