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Who We Are

Fiercely Curious is an online art & design collective based in Brooklyn.

We believe in connecting directly with the artists and designers.

erin@fiercelycurious.com

Jake Wallace

About Jake Wallace
Jake Wallace is a New York-based artist and printmaker. Born in Queens and a Brooklyn resident for the past 14 years, Jake has witnessed many changes to the city landscape, including new development, the destruction of neighborhood landmarks, and the evolution of everyday life in the city.
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In conversation with Jake Wallace

Erin: What are you curious about?

Jake: The history behind things. Of cities, places, buildings, families, people. I am always intrigued by the stories that took place at a specific location or within the lineage of a certain family. I read a lot of historically based books and love visualizing on a map where the various events took place. I think this is why I like to focus on classic architecture in my work. There’s more to me than just an interesting looking building, there’s a story there.
Erin: Describe your art and describe your process.

Jake: My current work focuses on New York City industrial landscapes. I create mixed media silkscreens on wood panels and paper using acrylic paint, spray paint, markers, stickers and sand paper.

Each series features a different building or structure that I have scoped out and photographed. I will shoot one location from every possible angle to try and get the most interesting and dynamic image possible.

During the summer of 2013 I shot the Domino Factory which is featured in one of my most recent series. I tried many different angles to get the right photo, from the Williamsburg Bridge, from the roof of a building next door, across the river with a zoom lens, on the east river ferry passing by. I got some great shots but not the right one. Then a week before the demolition started at the Domino site I was able to get on a tour of the factory which is how I ended up with the final image where I am standing directly in front of the main factory sign. We were the last non-construction crew people to tour the site before the ball swung.
Erin: What superpower would you have and why?

Jake: I always wanted to be able to stop time and rob a bank.

Erin: You’ve founded some pretty cool companies- tell us about them.

Jake: Growing up I was really into punk and hardcore music so in 2001 I started a record label with my cousin and another friend called Dying Wish Records. We released a September 11th Benefit Album, the first-ever Jawbreaker Tribute Compilation and launched the band Bayside. In 2002 we did 3 weeks on the Vans Warped Tour starting in Seattle, Washington and ending up in Atlanta, Georgia. It was a fun experience and we learned a lot because it was a start-up so we were forced to do things we wouldn’t normally do.

Erin: What is your dream project?

Jake: Work on a series of prints with the late Robert Rauschenberg.
Erin: What advice do you have for aspiring artists?

Jake: Just devote some time every day or week to doing whatever it is you love to do and be consistent. Staying consistent helps me create a rhythm and the rhythm let’s me explore and build on new ideas. Also, one key for me is I always start the next piece before I finish the current one. Sometimes I’ll have multiple projects going at once.

Erin: Tell us one mind-blowing experience you’ve had.

Jake: I once pulled a guy out of car that had crashed off the Southern State Parkway into the woods. It took out a tree, flipped on it’s side and was leaking gas. My brother and I happened to be driving by and were the first ones on the scene.

Erin: What’s your greatest skill that no one knows about?

Jake: I have very good presentation skills, I am really good with an exacto knife. I am also a pretty good cook.
Erin: Big picture or details?

Jake: OCD

Erin: Chaos or order?

Jake: It’s a constant battle where I naturally want things to have order but I am always trying to infuse chaos to make things more interesting. This is definitely something present in my work over the past few years where I have been doing a lot more experimenting and trying to break away from a more planned approach.

Erin: Are you involved in any upcoming gallery events or shows?

Jake: I currently have a solo show called NYC Industrial Landscapes at LIC Market, a restaurant in Long Island City. It’s up through March 30th and features 18 pieces.

Erin: What’s the most incredible place you’ve visited outside of the U.S.?

Jake: New Zealand and Australia were two of the most amazing and beautiful places I’ve been.
Erin: We know you ride your motorcycle in your free time. What’s your favorite ride?

Jake: Anywhere outside of the city. We do a lot of rides in Long Island, Jersey and upstate NY.

Erin: What’s your favorite bar in Brooklyn?

Jake: I have 2 kids now so I don’t go out as much as I used to but the Metal Bar is one of my favorite local spots in Greenpoint.