BIOGRAPHY
M. E. Klesse is a multi-sensory artist based in Rockport, Texas, with exhibitions in New York, London, Rome, Ontario, and major U.S. cities. Their work is held in several permanent museum collections. Born in New Jersey, Klesse’s experience as a registered nurse and longtime volunteer with alternatively advantaged individuals informs a deep engagement with the human psyche. Working across oil, cold wax, encaustic, sculpture, and assemblage, Klesse creates immersive “artwork-clusters” that explore trauma, resilience, and societal impact.
CV
Public art installations in Houston and Rockport; solo shows at Ardest and Coast Modern Gallery (2021–2026). Exhibited nationally and internationally, including NYC, London, Rome, and Ontario. Awards include residencies, Best in Show, and 1st Place honors. Work held in museum, corporate, and private collections. Education: The Pratt Institute, New York Studio School.
STATEMENT
My practice explores the psychological aftermath of social and political trauma through interdisciplinary, multi-sensory work. I examine moral and emotional fractures, focusing on the internal struggles of survivors and perpetrators. Through immersive artwork clusters, I invite empathetic engagement with memory, damage, and resilience.
