Jessica MacMillan (b. 1987, New Hampshire, USA) is an artist and amateur astronomer based in Oslo, Norway. Through kinetic sculpture, 3D animation, and installation, MacMillan's work investigates concepts in astronomy and planetary science. Using optical instruments, geophysical orientation, and ordinary found objects, she focuses on bridging the gap between our everyday lived experience and the context that contains us: on a tiny and fragile planet, in a massive solar system, within a galaxy among billions.



SOLO EXHIBITIONS ︎︎︎

2024    Incense for the Mesosphere, Kyoto Art Center, Kyoto, Japan
2023    The World Before Eyes, K4 galleri, Oslo, Norway
2021    Time Line, Artica Svalbard, Longyearbyen, Svalbard
2021    Everyday Moons, Billedkunstnerne i Oslo og Akershus (BOA), Oslo, Norway
2018    Radii, Galleri 54, Gothenburg, Sweden
2017    Corrected Vision, Skaftfell Center for Visual Art, Seyðisfjörður, Iceland
2017    Antiplanet, Studio 17, Stavanger, Norway
2016    Averted Vision, White Box Galleri, KHiO, Oslo, Norway
2015    Axis Calibration, Galleri Seilduken, KHiO, Oslo, Norway
2010    [in] between, with Emmy McIntosh, President's Gallery, MassArt, Boston, MA, USA



SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS ︎︎︎

2025    (Upcoming) Lyden av sola, Solobservatoriet, Harestua, Norway
2025    (Upcoming) UKS Sommerfest, Oslo, Norway 
2025    Infinity – Emptiness – Liveliness, Hamburg Planetarium, Germany
2023    ARTICA in Residence at QSPA, QSPA Bispevika, Oslo, Norway
2022    Mini-MUNCH Festival, Everyday Moons screening, MUNCH, Oslo, Norway
2022    Østlandsutstillingen, Oppland Kunstsenter, Lillehammer, Norway
2022    Østlandsutstillingen, NITJA senter for samtidskunst, Lillestrøm, Norway
2021    ÖRES 21 Summer Exhibition, Örö Island, Skärgårdshavets Nationalpark, Finland
2018    Høstutstillingen, Kunstnernes Hus, Oslo, Norway
2018    Farfuglar, Skaftfell Center for Visual Art, Seyðisfjörður, Iceland
2017    Sequences VIII: Elastic Hours, “Blikk,” Skaftfell Center for Visual Art, Seyðisfjörður, Iceland
2017    Høstutstillingen i Inkognitogata, Inkognitogata 4, Oslo, Norway
2017    Here and Not, Atelier Nord ANX, Oslo, Norway, with artists Richard Alexandersson and Pete Fleming
2017    Screengrab, Akademirommet, Kunstnernes Hus, Oslo, Norway
2017    Seven Black Holes, Blomster & Bureau, online exhibition: blomsterogbureau.com
2016    Ora or Labora, MFA Avgangsutstilling, Kunstnernes Hus, Oslo, Norway
2016    Forårsudstillingen, Kunsthal Charlottenborg, Copenhagen, Denmark
2015    Let’s Wait for the Group, Akademirommet, Kunstnernes Hus, Oslo, Norway
2015    14,8 x 21, Benefit for Dråpen i Havet, P0, Oslo National Academy of the Arts, Oslo, Norway
2015    Chambre d’Amis, Semperdepot, Akademie der bildenden Künste Wien, Vienna, Austria
2015    Utstilling, Galleri Seilduken, Oslo National Academy of the Arts, Oslo, Norway
2015    EXCESSIVE AND IRRATIONAL, Akademirommet, Kunstnernes Hus, Oslo, Norway
2015    Beasts and Pets, Akademirommet, Kunstnernes Hus, Oslo, Norway
2015    Beasts and Pets, Studio 17, Stavanger, Norway
2014    IF (The Show Is All Words), click here to see the virtual exhibition
2012    PLAY, Sixteen Tons, Brooklyn, NY, USA
2012    MassArt's 23rd Annual Benefit Art Auction, Bakalar and Paine Galleries, MassArt, Boston, MA, USA
2012    HUNDREDS, Lincoln Arts Project, Waltham, MA, USA
2011    Type Show, Lincoln Arts Project, Waltham, MA, USA
2011    Chain Letter, samsøn, Boston, MA, USA
2010    plus minus time divides, Brant Gallery, MassArt, Boston, MA, USA
2010    Graduating Senior Exhibition, Paine Gallery, MassArt, Boston, MA, USA
2010    MassArt's 21st Annual Benefit Art Auction, Bakalar and Paine Galleries, MassArt, Boston, MA, USA
2010    Sculpture All School Show, Arnheim Gallery, MassArt, Boston, MA, USA
2009    Type, Graphic Design Society, MassArt, Boston, MA, USA
2009    Out of the Woods, Godine Gallery, MassArt, Boston, MA, USA
2009    The Boston Biennial, Atlantic Works Gallery, East Boston, MA, USA
2009    MassArt's 20th Annual Benefit Art Auction, Bakalar and Paine Galleries, MassArt, Boston, MA, USA
2008    Artists Speak Out! Miller Block Gallery, Boston, MA, USA




RESIDENCIES + WORKSHOPS ︎︎︎

2025     Solobservatoriet, Harestua, Norway
2024     Kyoto Art Center, Kyoto, Japan
2021     Artica Svalbard, Longyearbyen, Svalbard
2019     ÖRES: Örö Island Residency Program, Skärgårdshavets Nationalpark, Finland
2019     NBK Ny-Ålesund Research Station residency, Svalbard
2018     Project Room, Atelier Nord ANX, Oslo, Norway
2017     Skaftfell Center for Visual Art, Seyðisfjörður, Iceland
2015     Nida Art Colony, “Creative Collaboration,” KUNO, Nida, Lithuania
2014     Malmö Art Academy, “Artists Teaching Artists,” KUNO, Malmö, Sweden



AWARDS + HONORS ︎︎︎

2025    One-year stipend, Norwegian Visual Artists Fund / Billedkunstnernes Vederlagsfond, NBK
2023    Two-year stipend, Norwegian Visual Artists Fund / Billedkunstnernes Vederlagsfond, NBK
2021    Two-year stipend for young artists, Arts Council Norway / Kulturrådet
2020    One-year stipend, Norwegian Visual Artists Fund / Billedkunstnernes Vederlagsfond, NBK
2020    Stipend for young artists, City of Oslo / Oslo Kommune
2019    Ny-Ålesund Research Station residency grant, Bildende Kunstneres Hjelpefond
2019    One-year stipend, Norwegian Visual Artists Fund / Billedkunstnernes Vederlagsfond, NBK
2018    Project Support Grant, Norwegian Visual Artists Fund / Billedkunstnernes Vederlagsfond, NBK
2018    One-year stipend, Norwegian Visual Artists Fund / Billedkunstnernes Vederlagsfond, NBK
2017    Art and Technology Grant, Arts Council Norway / Kulturrådet
2017    One-year stipend for young artists, Arts Council Norway / Kulturrådet
2017    Project Support Grant, Norwegian Visual Artists Fund / Billedkunstnernes Vederlagsfond, NBK
2017    Exhibtion Support Grant, Arts Council Norway / Kulturrådet
2016    Project Support Grant, Norwegian Visual Artists Fund / Billedkunstnernes Vederlagsfond, NBK
2016    Art Publications and Manuscript Development Grant, Arts Council Norway / Kulturrådet
2016    Kunstnernes Hus Studio Grant, Fondet for Kunst- og Designstudenter ved KHiO
2016    Stipend for Newly Graduated Artists, Arts Council Norway / Kulturrådet
2015    Development of Practice Grant, Fondet for Kunst- og Designstudenter ved KHiO
2010    Helen Blair Crosbie Sculpture Award, First Prize, MassArt
2010    Foundation Auction Award, MassArt
2009    Silver Award for Sculpture at The Boston Biennial, Atlantic Works Gallery, East Boston, MA
2009    Special Projects Grant for Public Art, MassArt



EDUCATION ︎︎︎

2017                  Arizona State University, Astronomy: Comparative Planetology
2014 - 2016     The Academy of Fine Art, Oslo National Academy of the Arts (KHiO), MFA Fine Arts
2005 - 2010     Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt), BFA Sculpture and Art History



MEMBERSHIPS ︎︎︎

2018 - Present     Visual Artists Association of Oslo and Akershus / Billedkunstnerne i Oslo og Akershus (BOA)
2017 - Present     The Planetary Society
2016 - Present     Association of Norwegian Visual Artists / Norske Billedkunstnere (NBK)