By Jess Clarke
NC State architecture student Isaiah Jacobs, a Native American who is a member of the Lumbee tribe, is doing his part to promote diversity, equity and inclusion at the university.
A banner he designed for the campus Native American powwow last spring was displayed at Poole College during Native American Heritage Month in November. His artwork depicts a wolf’s head filled with images of Native American clothing patterns. The piece features the NC State colors of red and white with the addition of black.
Jacobs discusses his art and how his heritage inspires him.
Q&A with Isaiah Jacobs
When did you become interested in creating artwork?
When I was in kindergarten, I had an assignment to draw a fox. Mom drew a fox to show me how. She was the one who really inspired me to get into art. I had a book with pictures of horses and I drew different types of horses. I saw how he draws horses. I took the ball and ran with it after that.
Now you work mostly with colored pencils and digital art. Why did you choose those media?
For me, it’s like trying to solve a puzzle of how realistic I can make something look. I have always focused on trying to reproduce an image. It is a challenge that allows me to express my creativity and thoughts in a special way.
What do you enjoy most about creating art?
I love being creative because it’s a way of self-expression. It leaves me feeling like I have a greater sense of individuality. It gives me a sense of accomplishment and pride.
I love being creative because it’s a way of self-expression. It leaves me feeling like I have a greater sense of individuality. It gives me a sense of accomplishment and pride.
The Lumbee Tribe is based in Pembroke, North Carolina, in Robeson County, but does not have a reservation. It is the largest tribe in the US east of the Mississippi River. How does your heritage influence your art?
It influences it quite a bit…just dealing with things like misrepresentation, dealing with stereotypes. It’s my way of helping to overcome some of these obstacles that we’ve faced in the past. Many people think of Native American dudes and big flowing headdresses. These were more common in Native Americans in the West. And the reservation status. Everyone I meet asks me if I stayed on a reservation. I don’t live on a reservation.
When I incorporate Native American imagery into my work, I make sure it’s accurate, especially in terms of the Native Americans of the East and what they looked like. I try to use my skills to break stereotypes and educate people.
Participate in NC State Native American Student Association activities on campus. How important is your culture to you?
We are aware of how few of us there are… I am very proud of what I do and where I am from.
It’s a very big part of my identity because Native Americans in general have this idea that your culture is who you are. We are aware of how few of us there are… I am very proud of what I do and where I am from.
A few of your coworkers saw a drawing you did of Native American grass dancers and later bought t-shirts with that design from Dark Pine Collective, a clothing business you own with your cousins. How do you want non-Native Americans to respond to your artwork?
I hope someone who doesn’t know anything about Native Americans looks at something I’ve done and finds it really interesting and would like to learn more. In my mind, that creates a gateway to have a discussion to explain things fairly and squarely and break down some of the stereotypes we face.
Will you continue to create art after you graduate?
Yes. It’s one of my hobbies. It’s therapeutic for me.