Michelle Im

Lives and works in Queens, NY, USA

Artist statement

I am an artist working in clay, creating figurative sculptures rooted in my personal history and lived experience within the larger Asian diaspora. The concept of home within the diaspora is a recurring theme in my practice. In my flight attendant series, home becomes a site of transience. These figures represent an idealized form of home, emulating maternal care and emotional labor through gestures of hospitality. The work reflects my interest in how care is performed and commodified, particularly by women in professional service roles. Exploring femininity and working-class labor is central to my work. I am drawn to professions where labor is pristinely packaged through uniforms and perfectionistic gestures. My sculptures amplify the surreal nature of these roles, giving form and and presence to working-class women whose labor sustains systems of comfort and care.

Artwork