Yung Jake’s‘Cartoons’ Fuses Digital, Physical Worlds

In tandem with Christine Sciulli’s solo exhibit will be Yung Jake “Cartoons” in Guild Hall’s Moran & Spiga Galleries from April 20 through May 27, a multi-platform installation focused on the fuse of digital and physical worlds. Jake animates stories revolving around the character Kelvin. Kelvin will be displayed as a video, drawing, and an overall immersive installation, crafting a storyline about the environment, cult, and the society in which this character lives.

Jake’s upbringing is interesting and unique. He was born in Sag Harbor but raised in Bali and New Zealand, before returning back to Long Island, to Bridgehampton. Jake received a BFA from California Institute of the Arts and has exhibited in 11 solo shows since 2014, two of which were at Tripoli Gallery in Southampton.

The artist said about his travels: “The changing backdrop decorated my experience, but I was never consciously inspired by my surroundings until adulthood. Growing up, I found comfort and inspiration in the constant elements I surrounded myself with: video games, cartoons, and LEGOs. Traveling definitely affected me unconsciously in ways I didn’t discover till later in my life.”

Jake is possibly best known for his emoji portraits generated using his app, emoji.ink, where everyday emojis create colorful masterpieces depicting celebrity faces. The artist incorporates lyrical and culturally relevant messages through rapping. There will be a free gallery talk with Jake, older brother Tripoli Patterson of Tripoli Gallery, and Katherine McMahon of Art News on Sunday, May 5, from 2 to 4 PM.