Jon Cates

Jon Cates was born in 1973 in Iowa, USA. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with honors from Illinois State University and a Master’s degree in Media Art Histories from Donau-Universität Krems in Austria. He is recognized globally for his pioneering role in glitch art and his interdisciplinary approach that blends art, technology, and critical theory. Based in Taipei, he actively engages with diverse international digital art communities, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and innovation.

His work centers on glitch art, a field he has helped pioneer since the 1990s. Jon welcomes digital imperfections and errors that many avoid, using glitches as a way to challenge dominant systems and highlight moments where technology breaks down. Through experimental films, games, and installations, he explores the tension between order and chaos, often reflecting on complex issues like colonialism and digital culture. His approach challenges traditional notions of perfection and control in digital media, opening space for vulnerability and unpredictability as creative forces.

Jon founded the Glitch Art Gallery and the glitch.shool educational platform, curated the acclaimed Chicago New Media 1973–1992 exhibition featured at Ars Electronica, and developed the New Media Art curriculum at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. His work and writing have appeared internationally at major venues including Art Basel and the Museum of Moving Image, with publications from leading academic presses. ve appeared internationally at major venues such as Art Basel and the Museum of Moving Image, with publications from leading academic presses. Through these efforts, Jon continues to push the boundaries of glitch aesthetics and their cultural impact.