Jake Longstreth: American Heat

Known for his large-scale paintings of architecture and nature, Jake Longstreth (b. 1977) recounts the changing modern landscapes of our time. Astutely observing the corners of suburban America, the artist primarily documents restaurant and retail chains, immortalising many which are becoming increasingly obsolete. In his nature landscapes, Longstreth’s equally subtle and elegant compositions reveal location-specific trees, foliage and clouded skies. With a sense of anticipatory nostalgia and a wry, underlying humour, the artist takes a place within the tradition of landscape painting to uncover both the beauty and absurdity of storefront culture, as well as the creeping effects of a changing environment.

Jake Longstreth’s paintings do far more than capture the forgotten facades of retail chains. They remember a part of suburban life that’s drifting into the past.

T. Latterner, ‘Meet the Artist Chronicling Disappearing Chain Stores’ in Architectural Digest, 21 August 2020.