Meet Mia Jae Hutchinson | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mia Jae Hutchinson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mia Jae, why did you pursue a creative career?
Art has been an integral part of my identity since childhood. My mother, despite her busy schedule, found joy in crafting and self-taught hobbies. Watching her create brought us closer and ignited my own passion for art. She is the reason I love creating. At around seven, I took a drawing class that further fueled my interest, especially in working with pastels.

As a teenager, my creative focus shifted to theater arts. I participated in school plays and theater tech, and initially planned to pursue a degree in theater after high school. However, life took a different turn, and I paused my education to work. After several years in the legal field, I returned to school. Community college classes rekindled my love for drawing and painting, and I was fortunate to participate in the juried student art show in 2019.

The pivotal moment came when I had to choose between a degree in art or law school. This was a significant decision, especially since my mother was a lawyer. While following her path would have been easier, I saw the personal sacrifices she made. This inspired me to follow my heart and pursue an MFA in art.

I wholeheartedly stand by this decision. It has allowed me to continually explore the creative process, make lifelong connections during my MFA, and now, I have the privilege of teaching student artists. My journey in art has been one of self-discovery. During my first year of the MFA, I transitioned, and my artistic journey and personal growth became deeply intertwined. Art helps me understand my identity, express myself, and brings me immense joy. It also remains a special connection to my mother, who passed away earlier this year. I can’t imagine ever stopping my creative journey.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My work delves into identity, gender expression, and the role of queerness in American culture. By subverting cultural norms and narratives, I address traditional gender and sexual boundaries. I often reappropriate found imagery or a vintage aesthetic, blending it with elements of fantasy, mythology, or dreamscapes to highlight the falseness of the reality we live in.

As a proud transgender woman, my unique perspective within the queer community is a vital part of my art practice. I cherish the opportunity to positively represent the lived experiences of my community through my art.

I earned my Master’s in Fine Arts from California State University, San Bernardino, in May 2024. My thesis show allowed me to explore queer identity in a deeply personal way. The overarching Camp aesthetics serve as a vehicle for subverting established references while imbuing them with a queer sensibility. By recontextualizing classical representations of the figure, I examine how identity is the Subject, conflated with the ideas of Objecthood.

My art practice has been instrumental in processing my own transition, confronting emotional scars, and grappling with past sexual traumas. Simultaneously, my narrative weaves into the broader fabric of gender and sexuality within art.

I want the world to know that while much of my work is introspective, it resonates with many issues faced by queer individuals, as it fundamentally explores queer identity. I hope that those who engage with my art are inspired to examine their own ideas about gender and sexuality, potentially sparking social reflection.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Los Angeles is a treasure trove of art, with an abundance of museums and galleries. Some of my favorites include The Broad, Charlie James Gallery, and Jeffrey Deitch Gallery. I also love visiting the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, as cinema has always been a major influence on my work. The costumes are particularly captivating, allowing you to appreciate the intricate details up close.

A must-visit spot for me is West Hollywood. It promises a fantastic night out with great music, dancing, and drinks. My favorite comfort spot is Mother Lode. Experiencing queer nightlife is essential for both having fun with me and understanding me.

Of course, I would also take a drive to my favorite place on earth, Palm Springs. Just two hours away from LA, it’s worth the trip as it captures a bygone era of California and aesthetic that I strive to express through my artwork. My favorite places there include the Museum of Art, Chill Bar, all of Arenas, and The Heyday. Palm Springs is also home to many cool galleries, thrift shops, and unique places to explore.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people that deserve recognition for the impacts they have made. Biggest shoutout to my mom up in heaven. She is responsible for so much of who I am and all my success.

I also want to mention some amazing artists that taught me during my education. Cyn Miller taught me drawing and painting in community college and really encouraged me to find my own voice. Tamara Cedre was my first critique professor in the MFA program, and she taught me to be strong and have conviction and integrity, I love her! Andrew Thompson was my photo teacher, and he is a literal saint to all his students, he is such a wonderful teacher. Jane Chin-Davidson for always encouraging me to have a strong background in research. Francis Almendarez was my mentor for my thesis project, his support in both video and installation were fundamental, and he continues to inspire me with his work. There are so many more amazing educators that I had the pleasure to learn from, but I want to recognize these particular people for their special impact and advocacy they had for me.

Additionally, I want to recognize a few extra people who helped me along the way Christopher Spanos, Nicole Charles, Frankie Gutierrez, Krista Fassett, Edgar Perez Pena, Christopher Velasco, Dakota Noot and Katie Grip. These are all amazing people, artists, and friends, and I am so grateful for all of them for supporting me.

Website: https://miajaehutchinson.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/stargirl_miajae

Other: miajaehutchinson@gmail.com