J. Mae Barizo
Poet, Essayist & Multidisciplinary Artist
Born in Toronto to Filipino immigrants, J. Mae Barizo is a dynamic poet, essayist, and multidisciplinary artist who blurs the lines between poetics, media, and performance.
Photo credit Stephanie O’Connor
J. Mae Barizo Bio
J. Mae Barizo is the author of two compelling books of poetry: Tender Machines (Tupelo Press, 2023) and The Cumulus Effect (Four Way Books, 2015). Barizo's poetry captures vibrant emotions, painting vivid landscapes with words.
Barizo's creative talents extend beyond poetry; she is a gifted essayist and a versatile multidisciplinary artist. Her book Pink Noise, a collection of hybrid essays exploring John Cage and the poetics of sound, earned recognition as a finalist for the Graywolf Nonfiction Prize and the 2023 Megaphone Prize. This versatility underscores her ability to seamlessly transition between prose and poetry.
Her literary prowess is further demonstrated by her work's inclusion in anthologies from esteemed publishers like W.W. Norton, Atelier Editions, and Harvard University Press. Her words find a place among collections that celebrate her enduring impact.
Barizo's artistic contributions transcend words alone. An advocate for cross-disciplinary collaboration, she has partnered with luminaries like Salman Rushdie, Mark Morris, and the American String Quartet. As a librettist, she received Opera America's inaugural IDEA residency. Her opera DRIFT, created in collaboration with composer Alyssa Weinberg, explores themes of migration and climate change, addressing urgent contemporary issues.
Barizo's impact extends to accolades and awards from prestigious institutions like Bennington College, the Mellon Foundation, Critical Minded, the Jerome Foundation, and Poets House. Her recent writings grace the pages of renowned publications such as Poetry, Ploughshares, Esquire, Los Angeles Review of Books, Paris Review Daily, Boston Review, and BookForum.
J. Mae Barizo taught at the Pratt Institute and Parsons School of Design and is presently on the MFA faculty at The New School.
In the realm of art and literature, J. Mae Barizo is a boundary breaker, challenging perceptions and crafting new worlds through her words and artistic endeavors. Her work invites exploration, questions, and the transformative power of language.