As a visual artist, Jacob Clayton uses photography, video, and mixed media as means to expand the vocabulary that challenges Euro-hetero-white-centric expectations and cultural representations of gender identity and expression. His work often chronicles a therapeutic journey through recovery from complex trauma and the road to gather and assemble reclaimed pieces of a life lived for decades as a closeted transgender man in America.
His work has been shown at the St. Louis Artists’ Guild in St. Louis, MO, Monmouth University Center for the Arts in West Long Branch, NJ, The Griffin Museum of Photography in Winchester, MA, the United Arts Council in Raleigh, NC, and the San Francisco Transgender Film Festival in San Francisco, CA.
In addition to being a web and graphic designer, as well as accomplished musician, Jacob is currently finishing his BA in Psychology.
Selected Visual Art Exhibitions
2023 AGING AND THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF TRANSGENDER AND GENDER NONCONFORMING (T/GNC) – OLDER ADULTS: NARRATIVES THROUGH ART, Monmouth University Center for the Arts, West Long Branch, NJ | Juror: Monmouth University
2022 PROUD+, The Studio Door, San Diego, CA | Juror: Alyssa Nitchun (catalogue)
2021 SAN FRANCISCO TRANSGENDER FILM FESTIVAL, San Francisco, CA | Juror: Shawna Virago
2021 SUMMER 2021 SHOW, The Curated Fridge, Boston, MA | Juror: Michael Behlen
2021 It Was All Very Queer, St. Louis Artists’ Guild, St. Louis, MO | Juror: Brendan Fernandes (catalogue)
2021 Member Exhibit, The Griffin Museum of Photography, Winchester, MA
2020 6th Annual Group Show, Davis Orton Gallery, Hudson, NY | Juror: Paula Tognarelli
2020 PROUD+, The Studio Door, San Diego, CA | Juror: Hunter O’Hanian (catalogue)
2020 CFCC Art Show, Wilma W. Daniels Gallery, Wilmington, NC | Juror: Bob Unchester
2020 Access and Opportunity, Diversity and Inclusion, Monmouth University Center for the Arts, West Long Branch, NJ | Juror: Monmouth University Art Department
2019 Member Exhibit, The Griffin Museum of Photography, Winchester, MA
2019 Personal Narrative, PhotoPlace Gallery, Middlebury, VT | Juror: Ralph Hassenpflug (catalogue)
2019 Depth of Field, United Arts Council, Raleigh, NC | Juror: VAE
2019 Art of the Image ’19, Art in Bloom Gallery, Wilmington, NC | Juror: Beth Handler Riebe
2019 CFCC Art Show, Wilma W. Daniels Gallery, Wilmington, NC | Juror: Amy Grant
Bibliography
Rage Monthly Magazine, interview, July 2022. 59.
PROUD+, exhibition catalogue, June 2022. 22, 78.
The San Diego Tribune, Arts Section feature publication of Best in Show exhibition award, May 2022. E2.
It was All Very Queer, exhibition catalogue, June 2021.
OUR STATE MAGAZINE, publication of photograph “Cybele”, April 2021. 134.
PORTALS MAGAZINE, publication of photograph “In My Skin”, spring 2020. 81.
PROUD+, exhibition catalogue, July 2020. 29-30.
PERSONAL NARRATIVE, exhibition catalogue, September 2019. 54.