R. John Setzer

John Setzer is a 2Spirit visual artist working in Seattle. They grew up “chasing color” into and through liminal spaces, a practice which persists to the present and is inspired by their mosaic background. In 2007 they earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in darkroom photography from Cornish College of the Arts, but disability caused by a chronic pain disorder created the opportunity to work in watercolor to better accommodate their access needs. This change in course created a revolution in their passion for color and over time they have developed a process devoted to exploration and play. Storytelling elements in their work come from the communities they engage with as a Jewish, queer, mixed-race Cherokee, especially through music and political activism. These overlapping contexts influence John’s unique perspective and broaden the use of their visual language.