“Untethered is about letting go of what was and finding freedom in what can be”
In her newest solo show, Untethered, Michelle Jader unravels the deeply emotional journey of living through uncertainty and transformation. Known for her signature layered paintings that evoke vulnerability and motion, Jader’s latest work explores themes of displacement, resilience, and the search for home.
The series—developed during her two-year road trip across 33 states during the COVID-19 pandemic—captures the universal experience of change. From the haunting skies of wildfire-stricken San Francisco to the serene realization of home as a feeling, Untethered tells a story of upheaval and hope, artfully interwoven with the cultural shifts of our time.
This body of work represents a major evolution in Jader’s artistic practice. Known for her emotive, multidimensional paintings that combine expressive marks, layered materials, and figures suspended between movement and stillness, Jader has now embraced AI as a creative thought partner. The result is a series that pushes the boundaries of composition, color, and storytelling, merging technology with the hand of the artist to create an immersive narrative about displacement, resilience, and rediscovery.
When the Skies Turned Orange
For Jader, the catalyst for this transformative journey was a visceral one. On September 9, 2020, San Francisco’s skies turned an eerie orange as wildfires consumed over 4.2 million acres across California, breaking state records for destruction. Smoke blanketed the city, forcing millions indoors while simultaneously amplifying the collective unease of the pandemic.
“That was the moment I knew I had to leave,” Jader recalls. “I loved San Francisco, but the air was suffocating—literally and emotionally. I felt trapped in a small flat with no outdoor space, surrounded by fear and isolation.”
With her possessions in storage and no clear destination, Jader set off on the open road. This act of leaving behind and moving toward is a central theme in Untethered.
“The open road became a sanctuary, a space to breathe,” she shares. “Each mile marked a step away from fear and toward freedom.”
This duality of release and pursuit is explored in a dynamic multi-panel piece. A convertible speeds down a winding road, symbolic objects—maps, keys, letters—flung into the air. The composition is layered and fluid, inviting viewers to feel the momentum and emotion of the journey.
The piece also reflects a broader cultural shift. According to USPS data, over 15.9 million Americans changed addresses in 2020, fleeing urban centers like San Francisco for suburban and rural spaces in search of safety and space. Jader’s personal experience mirrors this migration, lending a deeply human perspective to a seismic societal trend.
Dreaming of Escape
During lockdown, Jader found herself dreaming of whimsical ways to escape confinement. These imaginings gave rise to the Dreamer Series, where she depicts herself as a bird flying away, a fish swimming to freedom, or a kite lifted into the sky.
“These dreams were both an escape and a coping mechanism,” Jader says. “They reflected the longing for freedom but also the power of imagination to transcend difficult circumstances.”
The Dreamer Series invites viewers to reflect on their own ways our minds create paths forward when physical ones are blocked.
The Tornado of Change
While dreams offered a reprieve, the reality of uprooting her life was anything but gentle. In the Tornado of Change series, Jader explores the violent and often heartbreaking nature of transformation. A swirling tornado dominates each composition, with figures—women in different stages of surrender—caught within its chaotic force.
"Change can feel like a tornado, appearing innocuous at first, like a small cloud on the horizon, and then suddenly upending everything," Jader says. “I wanted to convey that raw, unrelenting energy—the loss of control but also the inevitability of moving forward.”
These pieces, layered on acrylic panels or mylar, use bold brushstrokes and blurred edges to create a sense of motion and emotional turbulence. The viewer feels as though they are caught within the storm, mirroring the uncertainty Jader experienced during her travels.
Home as a Feeling
As the miles accumulated and her temporary residences multiplied, Jader began to redefine what home meant. “Without a physical place to return to, I realized home wasn’t a location—it was a feeling I carried with me,” she reflects.
This revelation forms the heart of Untethered’s quieter, more contemplative pieces. Light-filled interiors, serene landscapes, and small, intimate details—like a mug of tea or an open book—symbolize the grounding moments Jader created in each new place.
This evolution mirrors the broader cultural shift brought on by the pandemic. Millions embraced remote work and nomadic lifestyles, blurring the line between home and elsewhere.
Behind the Brush: Evolving the Process
This exhibition also marks a pivotal evolution in Jader’s creative process. Partnering with AI as a thought partner, she leveraged images from 9 photo shoots she had during her travels and used technology to experiment with unexpected compositions, bold graphic elements, and dynamic backgrounds.
“AI became a collaborator that pushed my thinking,” she explains. “It added a layer of possibility and abstraction that I then brought to life in my paintings.”
An Invitation to Reflect
Through Untethered, Michelle Jader offers not just her story but an invitation for viewers to reflect on their own experiences of change, resilience, and discovery. By layering personal narrative with universal themes and cultural shifts, Jader has created a body of work that is both timely and timeless.
“Ultimately, Untethered is about letting go of what was and finding freedom in what can be,” Jader says.
This extraordinary show affirms Jader’s place as a compelling voice in contemporary art—a storyteller who paints not just with her hands but with her head and heart.
