Jake Francis
For better quality images: www.jakefrancisart.com
Through cynicism and belligerent play, Jake Francis embodies the spirit of a snake oil salesman. Begrudging the role of ‘art’ and its institutions in society, he unashamedly exploits the cliches and tropes associated, using them as signposts to negotiate his way through art’s gilded corridors. By using ready-made objects and appropriated imagery, his work toys with preconceived structures and endeavours to reconcile personal, social, and trivial issues with simultaneous wit and purposeful ignorance. Reassessing the established totems of domestic and cultural significance, Jake offers the viewer ‘semi-recognisable’ souvenirs of his enigmatic play and productive resentment; a disparate befuddling of sculpture, installation, and collage. By analysing the stereotypes of art as ‘freedom’ and artist as the ‘misunderstood romantic’, Jake reduces high culture down into a set of mere visual quips; a homage to the world it continuously mocks. It is within this middle ground of aesthetic folly and degradation that the artist’s existential aggravation is transformed into brief moments of cathartic relief; a Devil’s advocate with a slim silver lining. In short, Jake Francis is perhaps best placed as the classic playground bully - pulling on the pigtails of the girl he, quite ashamedly, has a soft spot for.
Jake Francis
Artist’s CV, 2019
7th August 1992
Brighton, UK
Web: jakefrancisart.com / Email: faffiestchatter@gmail.com
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Artist statement:
Through cynicism and belligerent play, Jake Francis embodies the spirit of a snake oil salesman. Begrudging the role of ‘art’ and its institutions in society, he unashamedly exploits the cliches and tropes associated, using them as signposts to negotiate his way through art’s gilded corridors. By using ready-made objects and appropriated imagery, his work toys with preconceived structures andendeavours to reconcile personal, social, and trivial issues with simultaneous wit and purposeful ignorance. Reassessing the established totems of domestic and cultural significance, Jake offers the viewer ‘semi-recognisable’ souvenirs of his enigmatic play and productive resentment; a disparate befuddling of sculpture, installation, and collage. By analysing the stereotypes of art as ‘freedom’ and artist as the ‘misunderstood romantic’, Jake reduces high culture down into a set of mere visual quips; a homage to the world it continuously mocks. It is within this middle ground of aesthetic folly and degradation that the artist’s existential aggravation is transformed into brief moments of cathartic relief; a Devil’s advocate with a slim silver lining. In short, Jake Francis is perhaps best placed as the classic playground bully - pulling on the pigtails of the girl he, quite ashamedly, has a soft spot for.
Education:
The University of Brighton - MA Fine Art
2017 - 2019
Grad obtained: 1st class
Norwich University of the Arts - BA Fine Art (Including Year 0 foundation)
2010 - 2014
Grade obtained: 2:1 w/ commendations
Job/ volunteering roles
Fabrica Art Gallery, Brighton, UK.
2018 - present
Research correspondent, ‘Respond Magazine’ team member /contributor, and front of house
volunteer
The Clunker: An art vending machine with ‘loose’ morals
2017 - present
Co-creator and co-organiser/curator (touring exhibition opportunity)
The Verse: University of Brighton’s official newspaper, Brighton, UK
2017 - 2019
Arts correspondent, critic, and interviewer
St.Elizabeth’s Centre for special needs education, Much Hadham, UK.
2015 - 2017
Learning Support Assistant - Arts & Humanities specialist
Camp Emerson - Hinsdale, MA, USA (seasonal)
2012 - Specialist arts teacher and councillor
2013 - Specialist arts teacher, councillor, and photo marketer.
2014 - Specialist arts teacher, photo marketer, and special events organiser.
2015 - Art director and head of visual arts curriculum
Norwich University of the Arts - Norwich, UK.
2011 - 2013 - Peer Assistant Learner (PAL)
2012 - 2014 - Student Ambassador (Fine Art)
2013 - 2014 - ‘BEYOND Magazine’ Alumni Marketer/data processor & feature writer
Selected group exhibitions:
“Artist Statement #4” CICA Museum, South Korea. May 9th - 25th 2019
"Where are you in these interesting times?" Air Gallery, Atrincham. November 2nd - 9th 2018
"The Republic of Brexitopia" The Espacio gallery, Shoreditch, London. 4th - 16th September 2017
"Points of View" The Lazy Susan Gallery, Manhattan NY, USA. 22nd - 30th November 2016
Selected solo exhibitions:
"Flutter" ThirteenA, St.Augustines street, Norwich. December 23rd - 28th 2018
"Inadaquate" Handforth Station gallery, Greater Manchester. July 19th 2016 - October 19th 2016
"Repugnant" The Norman Rea Gallery, University of York. May 5th-16th 2014
Selected texts & articles:
The Verse (2018) Interview: Grayson Perry & Jake Francis.
The Verse (2018) Interview: Anna Boghiguian & Jake Francis at Artes Mundi 8, Cardiff.
Francis, Jake (2015) Faff-ier : An ‘art’ practice 2014 - 2015 (Self published)
Fijalkowski, Dr. Krzysztof & Francis, Jake (2014) Repugnant: exhibition text and guide. (Self
published)
Selected features:
“Quotes” (2019) Strawlitter Productions, UK. - Contributing artist and writer (limited publication)
Axis Web: #fivetowatch - December 2014, March 2018 - featured artist
Art Reveal Magazine (November/December 2016 edition) - Interview and artist feature
Lushington, Jake (2015) Nipple Jesus [short film] - contributing artist