American artist Kayla Mattes blends internet memes, technology, and the traditional technique of embroidery, transforming the fleeting moments of digital culture into permanent art. Born in 1989, she explores how digital communication—often considered superficial—has become central to modern identity. Mattes uses embroidery to archive digital culture, transforming memes, symbols, and viral images into tactile works that comment on political, environmental, and social themes.
Kayla Mattes’ Artistic Journey
Mattes earned a bachelor’s degree from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2011 and a master’s degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, in 2019. She has exhibited in venues such as the Eli & Edythe Broad Museum and the Charlie James Gallery, with her work featured in New American Paintings, i-D, and It’s Nice That. She is also one of the artists included in the book Weaving: Contemporary Makers on the Loom.
Memesis at the Charlie James Gallery in Los Angeles
Mattes’s upcoming solo exhibition, Memesis, at the Charlie James Gallery (from March 1 to 29, 2025), continues her exploration of the digital and physical worlds. The show draws from internet aesthetics and political themes, blending humor and urgency. One piece, …Baby One More Time, incorporates pink scrunchies and hand-dyed yarns, playing with early internet aesthetics while addressing deeper concerns. Works like Existing?? and Fight or Flight tackle anxiety related to climate change, economic decline, and toxic online culture.
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In Memesis, Mattes preserves the digital moment—its humor, chaos, and relevance—through the ancient art of embroidery. By transforming these digital expressions into physical works, she invites viewers to reflect on the impact the internet has on our personal and collective lives. All in a completely unexpected way.
