Jake Troyli
Pronouns: He/Him
May 2022
Jake Troyli investigates the construction of otherness and the commodification of the Black/Brown body, confronting and exploring labor capitalism and sweat equity as a demonstration of value. He makes energetic paintings, often featuring a self-portrait or avatar of himself embedded in engaging scenes, with a markedly classicist approach. Utilizing techniques formalized during the High Renaissance, underpainting and toning are central to the conception of each work, beginning with a burnt sienna foundation to establish values. In a timely evolution of his practice, Troyli expands the functionality and influence of his figures, imbuing them with new agency and establishing absurd narratives to consider the timeless conversations surrounding the preconceived notions of identity and value structures. Through the presence of prop-like iconography and compositions reminiscent of community theater sets, Troyli positions his figures as performing commodities constantly on display.
Jake Troyli received his BFA from Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN (2013), MFA from the University of South Florida, Tampa (2019), an attended the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, ME (2019). Troyli has been awarded a Provincetown Fine Arts Work Center Fellowship for the 2019-2020 season, was an ACRE resident in Steuben, WI (2018), and received a Creative Pinellas Emerging Artist Grant, Largo, FL (2017). His work has been in numerous group exhibitions, including, XL Catlin Art Prize, San Francisco Art Institute, CA (2018), Extra Butter, Contemporary Art Museum, Tampa, FL (2019); The Ringling Museum, Sarasota, Florida, and Galerie Droste, Paris. Next solo show will be at Monique Meloche Gallery, February 2022.
Artist Portrait
Image 1: DON’T FORGET TO PACK A LUNCH!, 2020
Oil and graphite on canvas
80 x 106 in.
203.2 x 269.2 cm
Image 2: SITTING DUCK, 2021
Oil on canvas
30 x 30 in
76.2 x 76.2 cm
Image 3: THE CROWD SURFER, 2022
Oil on canvas
48”x72”
Courtesy of the artist and Monique Meloche Gallery