Artist
j.habitus
j.habitus is an evolving creative practice centered on the belief that life and art are not distinct. Practices are often movement-centric and emphasize process over product, teasing with the possibility of dance as conceptual art. Jhia has presented work at diverse venues such as the American Society for Bioethics and Humanities, the Salvatore Capezio Theater at Peridance, the San Francisco War Memorial. As the instigator of j.habitus, her practices are visceral explorations of topics drawn from her academic and activist work. For example, “Ms. Mary” is a solo that has been performed at The Tank, an off-broadway theater in New York City, and at the UCSF library. The work uses an interview with an African-American OB/GYN and activist who also engaged in academic training at Columbia University and UCSF and involves research into the life, work, and legacy of Miss Mary Cooley, an African-American doula who facilitated the birth of over 1400 babies in the deep south during the time of segregation. Her performative works have been described as thought-provoking, emotionally moving, physically-charged, and filled with subtle intricacies. She regularly seeks ways to actively engage with her audience, whether that is giving audiences directorial power in the moment or through her online-based happenings, such as 28 Stimulations.
Image from Of Crowns and Cages (2020), caught by Krystal Harfert
