about

J Alex Ray (b. 1997 in Chicago, IL) is a New York-based visual and performance artist and pole dancer. Their work consists of experimental movement and self-portraiture revolving around themes of personal evolution and growth. Their visual storytelling harmonizes improvised dance and endurance challenges interacting with material and live deconstruction. These performances are presented live in front of an audience before being refined as separate visual projects. As Ray’s performances are revisited across new showcases, the ritual evolves from space to space, showing the impact of the live environment and the live energetic transmutation between the ever-shifting relationship between time, J, and the audience. 

At age seventeen, Ray established her interest in self-portraiture and surrealist expression. In 2017, she entered the world of pole dance, exploring and overlapping other forms of contemporary dance into this new medium of expression. Her career as a performer blossomed in San Francisco, choreographing and competing in Pole Sport Organization (2019, 2020, and 2022), showcases by Flux Vertical Theatre, Twisted Windows, and other private events. They graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies in 2019 from San Francisco State University, where they studied performance art and digital media. In 2022, they moved to NYC to continue their pole dancing career and pursue performance art. 

Ray has presented work with galleries and collectives such as Grace Exhibition Space, MOMENTA, ChaShaMa, Intima, and private events.  As they continue to develop their performance work and reignite their visual media portfolio, Ray continues to showcase their dance and movement work within the pole dance and nightlife community, presenting in showcases held at DROM, Duane Park, Body & Pole, and Full Circle Brooklyn.