Bridging Styles: "The Space Between" at The Lab on Santa Fe

Written By Jay Cupcake

I am thrilled to announce that two of my works were selected for the group exhibition "The Space Between" at The Lab on Santa Fe. This show was a unique opportunity for me to exhibit two very different sides of my creative process side-by-side: my digital collage work and my portrait photography.

A Dual Perspective

The two pieces selected for this show highlight the "space between" reality and fantasy:

  • The Collage: My first piece is a surreal digital collage featuring a character holding a Chihuahua and a chicken. It’s a playful, high-concept work that layers textures and disparate elements to create something entirely new.

  • The Photograph: My second piece is a striking, high-contrast portrait of a drag performer in a regal crown and fur collar. This photograph was also chosen as the featured image for the official exhibition flyer, which was an incredible honor.

Seeing these two pieces hanging in the same gallery space really emphasized the conversation between the raw, captured moment of a photograph and the meticulously built world of a collage.

Visit the Gallery

If you are in Denver's Santa Fe Arts District, I would love for you to see the show and experience these pieces in person.

  • Exhibition Dates: May 3rd – June 8th.

  • Opening Reception: Saturday, May 11th, from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm.

  • Location: The Lab on Santa Fe, 840 Santa Fe Dr., Denver, CO.

Thank you to Kristina Davies for her curation and to the team at The Lab for including me in this beautiful exploration of artistic transitions.

Jay Cupcake

I’ve always believed that a great portrait is a collaboration, not just a click of a shutter. My name is Jay, and for over a decade, I’ve been capturing the vibrant, the surreal, and the unapologetically authentic. Recently relocated from the mountains of Colorado to the Twin Cities, I bring an editorial eye and a 'laughter-first' philosophy to every session.

My work spans the spectrum of the human experience—from photographing the Mayor of Denver for Civilian Magazine to creating high-concept digital collages featuring the icons of the drag and variety scene. Whether I’m building a complex 100-layer digital piece or capturing a clean, professional headshot, my goal is to make my subjects feel like the most powerful version of themselves. I don't just take pictures; I help personalities shine through.

https://www.jaycupcake.com
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