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Bio:

Jacob Rowan is an Assistant Professor of Art at Belhaven University where he teaches drawing, art history, aesthetics, and art theory. He received his BA in art from Belhaven University and his MFA in studio art from the Maryland Institute College of Art. Previously, he taught at Hinds Community College in Raymond, Mississippi. In 2013 he spent six months in Japan as an artist-in-residence with Community Arts Tokyo. He has also worked in various capacities as an art editor, curator, and community organizer. His work has been exhibited in multiple solo and group shows throughout Mississippi, Maryland, and Japan. 

STATEMENT: 

My drawings are composed from layers of dense linear patterns, geometric shapes, towers, scaffolding, cathedrals, antennae, and other architectonic motifs. These fragmented architectural forms are often collaged together with found materials and mounted onto modular wooden panels that can be reconfigured endlessly. Through this ongoing drawing project I explore the concept of an edifice, a term that can mean both a complex system of beliefs and an imposing physical structure. I see many correlations between our mental frameworks and the built environment. Cathedrals are sermons in stone. Skyscrapers are monuments of human achievement and hubris. The cell towers that litter the landscape are gateways into an invisible network that contains nearly all human knowledge. Even more incredible is that all of these manifestations of the human desire to build towards a better world began as ideas inscribed through line on paper. I’m fascinated by the conceptual potential of the line and as a result many of the tools I use are associated with traditional drafting and writing—rulers, a compass, templates, lettering guides, ruling pens, mechanical pencils, dip pens, and ink. Most recently I’ve begun using an AxiDraw, a plotter that can hold any kind of pen and follow vector paths. I use that drawing machine to repeat significant motifs, build up dense areas of linear chaos into which I can impose order, and to quickly create complex patterns.

I conceive of my process as a kind of parti, a drawing or diagram which serves as the organizing thought guiding an architect’s design. However, instead of outlining a new construction project I’m trying to discern a guiding principle behind the fragmented edifice I see crumbling towards heaven in our most ancient histories and in our speculative visions of the future. 

SOLO and JOINT EXHIBITIONS:

  • Edifice and Alchemy, Bitsy Irby Gallery, Jackson, MS. 2020

  • MICA Grad Show: Edificial Epistemologies. Gateway Gallery, Baltimore, MD. 2019

  • Jacob Rowan at Cups in the Quarter. Cups in the Quarter, Jackson, MS. 2017

  • The Tower, the Desert, and Other Images. Deep South Pops Gallery, Jackson, MS. 2016

  • The Aesthetic of Illumination. Pearl River Glass Studio Gallery, Jackson, MS. 2015

  • Control and Release joint show with Bryan Fulton. Lisette’s Gallery, Jackson, MS. 2012

 

GROUP EXHIBITIONS: 

  • Artifex Ex Machina. Manifest Gallery, Cincinnati, OH. 2022

  • Insight. Collage Gallery, Jackson, MS. 2021

  • Irene Rosenzweig 2021 Juried Biennial Exhibition. The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas. Pine Bluff, AR. 2021

  • MFAST 2nd/3rd Year Exhibition. Riggs and Leidy Galleries. Baltimore, MD. 2018

  • MFAST 2nd/3rd Year Exhibition. Riggs and Leidy Galleries. Baltimore, MD. 2017

  • ROTHKO REFRACTIONS, New Stage Theater, Jackson, MS. 2016

  • Jackson Academy Faculty Art Show, Jackson Academy Performing Arts Center, Jackson, MS. 2016

  • Alumni Invitational. Bitsy Irby Gallery. Jackson MS. Juried. 2015

  • 3rd Annual Cedars Juried Show. The Cedars. Jackson, MS. Juried. 2014

  • Junior Olympics Art Show. Jackson Convention Center. Jackson, MS. 2014

  • Composition, an Exhibition by the Jackson Art Movement. Jackson Academy Performing Arts Center. Jackson, MS. 2013

  • CityScape. Light, Space, and Time Online Gallery. Juried. 2013

  • Pop-up gallery at Asahi Hall. Tokyo, Japan. 2013

  • Pop-up gallery at Cafe Haus. Tokyo, Japan. 2013

  • The Collective, a Senior Art Exhibition. Arts Center of Mississippi. Jackson, MS. Juried. 2012

  • Mississippi Collegiate Arts Competition. Jackson, MS. Juried. 2012

  • Annual Student Show. Bitsy Irby Gallery. Jackson, MS. Juried. 2012

  • Annual Student Show. Bitsy Irby Gallery. Jackson, MS. Juried. 2011

  • Annual Student Show. Bitsy Irby Gallery. Jackson, MS. Juried. 2010

 

PUBLICATIONS, REVIEWS, and ARTICLES: 

  • “Jacob Rowan” Interview in 365 Artists/365 Days, A Frank Juarez Gallery and Greymatter Gallery Collaborative Project. October, 2015

  • Art as Illumination [https://artasillumination.wordpress.com]. Blog featuring interviews, reviews, artwork, and essays. 2013–Present

  • Mississippi Aesthetic, Issue 2, contributing artist. 2013

  • Anamnesis Artwork published in Curator Magazine, an online arts and culture journal, October, 2013

  • The Brogue, Volume 12.1, contributing artist and writer. 2013

  • “Belhaven University Artists Display Excellent Work.” Review of senior exhibition in Mississippi Museum of Art blog. March, 2012

  • "Belhaven Art Studios.” Review by Joe Ellis in The Clarion-Ledger. February, 2012

  • “Fruits of Education,” “Lauging All Over Again,” and “Looking Again.” Articles published in the Culture section of the Jackson Free Press. May, 2012

  • The Brogue, Volume 10, contributing artist and writer. 2012

 

RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE:

  • Assistant Professor of Art at Belhaven University: August 2020—Present. Jackson, MS (Teaching drawing, art history, aesthetics, and art theory)

  • Adjunct at Hinds Community College: August 2019—May 2020. Raymond, MS (Teaching design)

  • Art Teacher at Jackson Academy: November 2013—May 2020. Jackson, MS (Created and implemented 9th-12th grade studio art and art history curriculum. Average of 70-100 students).

  • Private Art Tutor: January 2015—January 2016. Jackson, MS (Private drawing lessons for interested students).

  • Artist in Residence with Community Arts Tokyo: January—July 2013. Tokyo, Japan (Exhibited art, curated pop-up galleries, organized art events, and led discussion groups).

  • Gallery Assistant at View Gallery: June—December 2012. Jackson, MS (Supervised gallery in owner's absence, designed booklet of artists’ statements, and discussed pieces with clients).

  • Receptionist at Mississippi Museum of Art: August—December 2012. Jackson, MS (Sold tickets and answered questions about temporary exhibitions).

  • Art Editor for The Brogue (The literary journal of Belhaven University): August 2011—August 2012. Jackson, MS (Selected visual art to be included in publication and assisted in editing written submissions).

  • Freelance Writer for the Art and Culture section of the Jackson Free Press: February—March 2012. Jackson, MS. (Wrote art and cultural reviews as needed).

  • Preparator’s Assistant at Mississippi Museum of Art: February 2012. Jackson, MS (Assisted in the installation of temporary exhibit).

  • Intern at Smithsonian Natural History Museum, Illustration Collection for the Division of Fishes: May—July 2011. Silver Springs, MD (Assisted in the conservation of scientific illustrations and database management).

  

EDUCATION:

  • M.F.A. in Studio Art from the Maryland Institute College of Art: Baltimore, MD. 2019

  • B.A. in Art with a minor in Creative Writing from Belhaven University: Jackson, MS. 2012