Jacob Arthur Medina

Born on the Day of the Dead in Houston, Texas, Jacob Medina is an artist of Mexican descent
living on the Big Island of Hawai’i.

After serving in the Army with stints to Macedonia, Kosovo, and Germany he received his BA in
Art in 2007 from the University of Hawai’i.

Jacob’s work can be described as Primitive Pop, where Mexican imagery meets Hawaiian legend.
Icons from tiki to Day of the Dead themes mingle with pop culture into mythical scenarios.
His whimsical characters are placed into a variety of environments and each painting tells a unique
story that offers an escape to a faraway paradise.

His work celebrates the idea of life after death revered through the Mexican holiday “El Dia de los Muertos”.
His paintings are cultural cocktails that portray the ever changing identity of people who come from a multitude
of traditions and places.

He works primarily with acrylic paint and builds many layers to create form through light and shadow. His figures are often enhanced with enamel paint to give them a distinct separation from the background, a technique commonly found in animation and comic book illustrations. Once a painting is finished he builds a custom frame that often reflects the subject
of th...

BA in Art University of Hawaii 2007

Hawaii Nei 2016, Wailoa Center, Hilo, HI, November-December 2016

Return of ‘Alala Statwide Juried Exhibit, Volcano Art Center, Volcano, HI, September -October, 2016

Hawaii National Parks 2016 Centennial Juried Exhibition, Maui Arts and Cultural Center, Kahului, HI, August 30-November 6, 2016

Dia de los Muertos, The Exhibit Gallery, Hilo, Hi, November-December 2015

Hawaii Nei 2015, Wailoa Center, Hilo, HI, November-December 2015

Schaefer Portrait Challenge 2015
Maui Arts and Cultural Center
Honolulu Museum of Art First Hawaiian Center