An immense fear of death, illness, and disease is the catalyst for May’s creativity. Art is her mechanism for coping with dreadful and unsettling emotions that stem from the harsh realities of mortality. She’s endlessly fascinated by ecosystems, finds obscure beauty in decay, and incessantly seeks answers to the age-old question, ‘What is the meaning of life?’ Working in mixed media, she explores visual contrast by merging fluid and organic forms with imagery hinging on the grotesque. Born in Los Angeles, May has lived in the Bay Area since she was two and is currently based in Oakland. Her work has been featured at the de Young and SFMOMA museum stores in San Francisco, under the name TIMMY MAYS.