Jacob Alexander

Born: Edgar, FL 1931
Resides: San Francisco, CA

Artistic Statement

My work since 1980 reflects many years of living all over the world during 20 years in the USAF. Traveling on my own, several times since 1968, to east and west Africa, as well as touring the United States every summer has consolidated the effect of my growing up in the rural south during the depression, where every kind of cloth that wasn’t being worn was used to make quilts.

The pieces I fabricate are intuitive reflections of the laughter of Southeast Asia, as well as the sadness and destruction, the snake dances of Japan, Bombay and Kwanza Festivals in Miami, and my experiences in the classroom and urban streets.

I create and organize these fabrics as a poetic expression of my emotions. The dynamic nature of the colors, as well as the degree of aesthetic function, are a distillation of my thoughts and emotions that are both spontaneous and planned.

Education

1948-68  USAF
1971       B.A. Shaw University, Raleigh, NC
1974       M.A. Goddard College, Plainfield, VT

Professional Experience

1974-79  Instructor – Miami Dade Community College
              African History/African American History/African American Literature
1979-80  Ph.D Prospectus – University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
1980-     Textile Artist
Present

Selected Solo Exhibitions

2001    Seven Sisters Gallery, Ft. Bragg, CA
1995    Pacific Medical Center, CA
1985    Museum of African American Art, Los Angeles, CA

Selected Group Exhibitions

2005    Design 05, Baulines Crafts Guild, San Francisco, CA
2004    Claudia Chapline Gallery, Stinson Beach, CA
1996    Merryl Latini Gallery, Sonoma, CA
1996    Harambee Arts & Culture Heritage Festival, Tallahassee, FL
1994    Harambee Arts & Culture Heritage Festival, Tallahassee, FL
1993    Fine Woodworking Gallery
1992    Claudia Chapline Gallery, Stinson Beach, CA
1992    Harambee Arts & Culture Heritage Festival, Tallahassee, FL
1990    V. Breier Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1989    Harambee Arts & Culture Heritage Festival, Tallahassee, FL
1988    Sun Gallery, Hayward, CA
1988    Harambee Arts & Culture Heritage Festival, Tallahassee, FL
1986    American Crafts Past & Present, Macy's, San Francisco, CA
1985    Design 85, Baulines Crafts Guild, San Francisco, CA