"Am I Your Child Too" by S. Darius Parker
2ft x 2ft symmetrical hexagon, acrylic painting with resin on double aluminum -- unframed
S. Darius Parker was born and raised in Atlanta Georgia. Initially, his desire for the arts came from his mother’s dedication and passion of the arts. But, after several careers and 5 ½ years in the Air Force, he determinedly chased his own art passion and pursued a Graphic Design degree from The Arts Institute in 2015. Darius uses symbolism and visual metaphors to explore multifaceted social and political issues of the past and the present. His strong roots growing up in Atlanta: the red clay, the magnolia trees, the southern slang, the cotton fields hymnals, and the long hot summer day all are a catalyst for his artworks. Darius is inspired by artists Henry Ossawa Tanner, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Frank Marks, and Shepard Fairey. His acrylic paintings combine the artistic styles of expressionism and the simplistic concepts of Graphic Design and Typography.
"My paintings recontextualize historical shortcomings of the past. I use symbolism and visual metaphors to explore multifaceted social and political issues. The reoccurring crow in my paintings references both the laws that “enforced racial segregation” and a harbinger- a messenger of the present reminding me to “be aware!” Each painting is embedded with a short story of sorts- a snippet of time frozen on the canvas. The underlining themes of my work were triggered by my inner dialogues, conversations had or echoed and by current news events rippling throughout the nation. The painting entitled “Black Code” came to fruition after having a conversation- “the talk” with my stepson after viewing a racial bias event on the news. “The Talk” is conversation African American parents have with their children when they reach a certain age. The painting “Black Code” references an 1865 law that governs the conduct of African Americans. It’s difficult to move beyond the past when the past keeps becoming the present. My paintings are conversations I am having with myself, my family and with anyone who is interested in listening."
