BIO
Jacob Watts is an artist residing in Chicago Illinois that specializes in image manipulation. Through digital and physical manipulation, he seeks to push the boundaries of photography to blend with illustration and sculpture.
Jacob found a love for art around the age of thirteen and developed an early aesthetic that has grown with him over the years. Initially he used stock imagery to composite his artworks but often found those images to be limiting. This inspired him to photograph his subjects and sceneries himself which grew into a stock imagery base of his own to use. Inspired by this process, he went to Columbia College Chicago for a BFA in photography. This experience massively helped shape, structure, and inform his art practices.
He currently resides in Chicago, and is the creator of the giant moose blowing bubblegum mural. Working as a photographer, retoucher, and artist, Jacob is always pushing his creative ideas. Currently, he is experimenting in photo-based sculptures as seen in his “Socially Distanced” series.
E: jacob@jacobwatts.net
P: 630.209.3147
1740 N Sawyer Ave
Chicago IL 60647
Copyright © All rights reserved.
CV
EDUCATION
BFA Photography, Columbia College Chicago 2012
AWARDS, RECOGNITION AND GRANTS
Columbia College Commencement Competition winner 2012
Columbia College Chicago Graduating Show Best in show 2012
Wabash Arts Corridor Competition Winner 2014
American Photographic Artists National Awards 2nd place 2018
American Photographic Artists Artist’s Perspective Best in Show 2020
EXHIBITIONS
Chicago project online 2012
The Start of Something Group Show 2013
Catherine Edelman’s Chicago project V 2013
Wabash Arts Corridor Instillation 2014
Constructed Group Show 2015
American Photographic Artists Artist’s Perspective 2016
Photoplace Gallery Portals 2017
American Photographic Artists Member Gallery 2017
American Photographic Artists Artist’s Perspective 2017
American Photographic Artists National Awards 2018
American Photographic Artists Off the Clock Personal Photography Exhibition 2018
American Photographic Artists Artist’s Perspective 2020
Bridgeport Art Center 11th Annual Juried Art Competition 2023
The Chateau Gallery “The Narrative” Online Exhibition 2023
Visionary Art Collective “What Remains” Online Exhibition 2023
Kefi Art Gallery “Canvas of Renewal” Online Exhibition 2023
Manifest Gallery “Paperworks” Exhibition 2024
Latitude Chicago “Connectivity” Exhibition 2024
USF Gallery “Socially Distanced” Solo Exhibition 2024
COLLECTIONS
The Museum of Contemporary Photography Permanent Collection, Chicago IL
Various private collections
ARTIST TALKS
Columbia College Chicago 2018
Columbia College Chicago 2022
American Academy of Art 2022
University of St. Francis 2024