Jake Fragua is an emerging artist from the Pueblos of Jemez and San Felipe. From his background, he has developed a yearning for creativity and for the intrinsic process that begets growth. Experimenting with various mediums, such as aerosol, found-objects, earthworks, poetry, music, etc., messages of civil unrest, social justice, emotional introversion, and personal healing have heartened his unique perspective on life and death, on many cognoscente levels. Education has always been a priority both in academic and non-academic settings. Fragua has studied at the Institute of American Indian Arts, and in return, has taught many community workshops and studio classes for Art.
 
"Art is a Western concept that separates itself from everyday life and into a conundrum of luxury. Art may be perceived as unnecessary, beguiling, and pretentious. However, I believe Art to be an everyday activity, as vital as drinking eight glasses of water or gathering fire-wood for the winter. Art is in the way one carry’s oneself, in the food we cook, in nature, in the love we make, in the words we speak, etc. My first language has no word for Art. Although, the traditions I have been raised in are over-flowing with Art. From the pre-historic petroglyphs/pictographs (which I consider to be the incarnations of graffiti) to ceremonial pottery and head-dresses, designs, lines, color, symbols, metaphors, technique, and composition can be found in the physical manifestation of visions we now call Art. From this foundation is where I begin to paint blocks of red, lines that dance, sub-conscious sounds, scenes of struggle, social contrasts, the light at the end of tunnels, and this all is a part of a healing in truth. This is where my art begins."
 
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