Jake Fetterman

Artist Statement

Through a multi-disciplinary approach, Jake Fetterman brings into question the role of the facade in the queer experience, interrogating its necessity as a form of self defense and as a mode of self expression. Coming from the heritage of Eastern Europe as a first generation American, they reference western histories, mythologies, and aesthetics. Using these themes as a way to explore the politics of the queer body, its relationship to constructed space, and the ever shifting nature of identity.

Committee

  • Doug Jeck (3D4M: ceramics + glass + sculpture)
  • Michael Swaine (3D4M: ceramics + glass + sculpture)
  • Adair Rounthwaite (Art History)
  • Robert Yoder

Commentary

Read the full commentary by Nicole Seisler.

Jake made their thesis show in no small part as a way to come out to their parents, parents who have always rejected queerness and are now confronting Jake’s gender dysphoria for the first time.

— Nicole Seisler

Bio

Jake Fetterman grew up in the Pacific Northwest and received their BFA from Western Washington University in 2015. They recently completed a post-baccalaureate at Colorado University, Boulder, in 2019, before coming to the University of Washington.

Website

Education

  • Master of Fine Arts, University of Washington, Seattle, 2021
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts, Western Washington University, 2015
Artist in dress and platform shoes sitting on a striped love seat with sheepskin, side table covered in lace and objects to the left
Jake/Jazzy Fetterman, Pleasure Palace (Pink Queen) [still], 2021. Mixed materials. Image courtesy the artist.
Three oval-shaped objects hung on a pink and black patterned wallpaper
Jake Fetterman, Rite Of Passage, 2021, terracotta, rhinestones, mono printed wallpaper. Photo: Jueqian Fang.
Oval object covered in rhinestones hung on a pink and black patterned background
Jake Fetterman, Rite Of Passage [detail], 2021, terracotta, rhinestones, mono printed wallpaper. Photo: Jueqian Fang.
Installation image of three oval objects hung on a pink and black patterned background and three white chairs covered in crystals
Jake Fetterman [left] and Payton Cahill [right], 2020–2021 University of Washington MFA + MDes Thesis Exhibition [installation view]. 2021. Henry Art Gallery, University of Washington, Seattle. Photo: Jueqian Fang.
Two terracotta urinals covered in rhinestones
Additional work: Jake Fetterman, Tandem Urinal, 2020. Terracotta, rhinestones, wood, steel. Image courtesy the artist.
Five terracotta urinals, middle urinal and background covered in silver reflective material
Additional work: Jake Fetterman. I Never Wanted To Have To Be Here, 2020. Terracotta, drywall, latex, mirrored vinyl, mirror. Image courtesy the artist.
Monitor with an image of a figure sitting vertically on top of a terracotta grid with a towel rack and towel; terracotta figurine in foreground with pink wig
Additional work: Jake Fetterman, In Place But Out Of Place, 2020. Terracotta, rhinestones, glitter grout, TV, synthetic wig. Image courtesy the artist.