by Taylor Freeman and London Wright, Bloomberg Arts Interns and Seniors at Duke Ellington School of the Arts
Jonathan Fuentes has always been drawn to the natural world. His fascination with animals easily found its way into his artwork, where the animal representations became stand-ins for people. Exaggerating these human characteristics through animal imagery gives his work a playful and insightful quality.
His journey into college as a primary medium began somewhat unexpectedly: while taking a printmaking class, he was drawn to the freedom of assembling pieces from scraps rather than following rigid techniques. His background in design also strongly influences his work. A graduate of the University of the District of Columbia, Fuentes credits the support and encouragement from the faculty played a crucial role in his development as an artist—helping develop his technique and work to find and secure opportunities.
Fuentes’ process often starts with cutting out interesting shapes from magazines and arranging them intuitively until a concept emerges. Only then does he begin gluing—letting the composition and tone evolve organically. Working primarily on a base of cardboard (canvas has always felt restrictive to him), Fuentes prefers to use common and easily obtainable materials such as gift wraps, bags, and shiny tape. Lately, he has been incorporating papier-mâché alongside cardboard to create versatile 3D sculptures. He even wore a sculptural hat he made to the opening reception of the New Artist Spotlight!
Looking ahead, his goals are clear. He wants to exhibit in more galleries, create larger work, and increase his connections with collectors. Fuentes remains committed to exploring new methods, breaking boundaries, and maintaining the playful essence that defines his work.