Jessie Makinson

Jessie Makinson crafts intricate, jewel-like scenes that blend historical and folkloric environments with fantastical social portraiture. Her work features androgynous figures embedded in rich social narratives drawn from a vast network of literary and mythological references. The figures, twisting and bending at uncanny angles across unstable grounds, evoke the same sensation of funhouse mirrors, weaving 18th-century brothel scenes, Georgian parlour games, and contemporary eco sci-fi. These layered imaginaries, guided by Makinson’s chameleon storytelling voice, convey scenes of rich sociality.

Jessie Makinson (b. 1985) lives and works in London, where she completed the Drawing Year Postgraduate Program at the Royal Drawing School in 2013. Recent solo exhibitions include François Ghebaly, Los Angeles (2023, 2021); Lyles & King, New York (2023, 2021, 2020); Fabian Lang Gallery, Zürich (2019); and Galería OMR, Mexico City (2019). Recent group exhibitions include Simon Lee Gallery, London (2022); British Museum, London (2022); Pippy Houldsworth Gallery, London (2021); Fabian Lang Gallery, Zürich (2021); Lyles & King, New York (2020); Victoria Miro, London (2020); Perrotin, Seoul (2019); T.J. Boulting, London (2018); and Nicodim Gallery, Bucharest (2018).

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Jessie Makinson

Hoof on Bone

January 7 - February 4, 2023

2245 E Washington Blvd., Los Angeles

François Ghebaly is proud to present Hoof on Bone , London-based artist Jessie Makinson’s newest exhibition at the Los Angeles gallery. From careful expressions and tight, jewel-like patterning to daunting...

Jessie Makinson

Something Vexes Thee?

January 28 - February 27, 2021

2245 E Washington Blvd., Los Angeles

François Ghebaly is proud to present a solo exhibition of new paintings by London-based artist Jessie Makinson. Take a royal portrait and gum up the seating arrangements until no one...