Jacoub Reyes's artist statement:&nb sp\;
\nMy practice investigat es the human form intersected with vegetal life\, an approach I define as phytomorphic resistance. As the child of a Catholic Caribbean mother and a South Asian Muslim father\, I examine how anatomy serves as a site for bo th historical tension and botanical renewal. By carving the body transform ing\, hybridizing\, and mutating into plants\, my work analyzes themes of migration\, displacement\, and colonial taxonomy.
\nThis inquiry is anchored by my work as a part-time gardener\ , where I cultivate native species and manually remove invasive growth. Th ese land management rhythms translate directly into my studio production\, where my gardening and creative processes converge through material choic es. I forage for earth pigments and local flora from the landscapes I tend \, infusing them into my inks so each print carries the material memory of the environment.
\nBecause the monume ntal scale of my relief carvings exceeds machine capacity\, I print entire ly by hand using found glass and wooden spoons. This manual process requir es physical endurance and is often facilitated through community collabora tion\, turning studio production into a collective ritual. After printing\ , I reclaim the wooden matrix by painting its surface. In doing so\, I sub vert the traditional concept of printmaking as a medium of replication\; t he unique carving stands alone as a permanent\, singular sculpture\, provi ng its potential is far more vast than its initial utility as a tool.
\ nThis spirit of exchange extends national ly through travel\, public workshops\, and research partnerships with regi onal libraries\, museums\, and universities. By utilizing local special co llections and archives\, I collaborate with residents to examine regional native flora and unearth the true history of their surroundings. This meth odology views liberation and freedom as inseparable from the land\; by und erstanding these histories\, communities can find ways to reclaim access a nd sovereignty over the spaces they inhabit.
\nJacoub Reyes's bio: \;
\nJacoub Reyes is an artist based in Florida who centers hi s Caribbean and Pakistani background as a relational point to expand on th emes of colonialism\, social response\, and ecosystems exemplified in his work with IEA\, Ma&rsquo\;s House\, The Latinx Project\, and CENTRO. Colla borating with Brown University\, Alfred University\, Kean University\, Hun ter College\, UCSF\, and other prestigious institutions\, the intersection s found in his work has allowed him to travel globally\, engaging in lectu res\, workshops\, and community events. Notable accolades include the Cent er for Craft&rsquo\;s Teaching Artist Cohort\, the SFCC Grant\, The Puffin Foundation\, and The Joan Mitchell Foundation finalist\, among others.
\n\;A Service of the Broward County Board of County Commissioners. \;
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