Location: United States
Erik Rashad Clark is a multidisciplinary artist with a focus in fashion, based in Chicago IL born may 14th 1990. With training from the Maryland Institute College of art Erik combines several different mediums often yielding interesting compelling results. Overall his art aesthetic is geared around creating and defining worlds and the people that may inhabit those worlds. From there, he translates his messages into ready to wear garments and fashion inspired pieces. These pieces often are represented through various mediums like painting, drawing, sculpting, sewing, crafting and more. One thing that should be noted is that no matter what the piece or idea: a heavy dose of fashion can be found in the overall product.
Like life my art is very chaotic but purposeful. My art is not limited by just one idea, notion, or principle. In every piece of art I create try to use a heavy use of symbolism to visually depict a deeper message or story to the audience. Some times the message is direct or sometimes hidden. Overall no matter what my hand touches I try to bring a level of drama, excitement and mystery to the world around me.
Erik has sense focused mainly in arts education with and emphasis in various types of art to express a range of ideas.
Student Series
Erik Clark is a teacher on the south side of Chicago. In teaching under privileged youth. The artist began to interpret the unique stories of his students. It wasn’t enough to just draw them; the artist wanted the viewer to feel emotion behind the face as well. (I you to see and feel my the people I draw) By mixing different material together Erik is able to convey complex story lines through loaded symbolism in the art and subjects eyes. In order to convey an abstract narrative the use of real and fabricated material adds a sense of touch and 3 dimensional appeals.
The addition of hair is crucial in my work along with the other tactile and mixed media techniques. In the African American community hair is key and is your crown. With out hair one lacks the ability to define ones self and personality. I created this series as a way to connect and relate to my students. Soon, I realized that I was creating these portraits to honor and remember youth that may be forgotten due to the ignorance and violence around them. I want them to see the color. This series is not to exploit them but instead to pay reverence to them. They inspire the artists everyday.
21. Sienna’s Endless Summer. Life is a constant state of duality, Past and future, negative and positives, good and the bad. That is life. And to that, please believe in the beauty and power of the beautiful endless summer.
1. Isaiah’s path. The piece deals with the unbridled talent and pride of a young man while on his fantastic journey. If not careful and cautious on the ride to success will end as quickly as is started
Hawkins Wave. We are multifaceted beings who are often not aware of the light and potential that surrounds us Dailey. Whether or not we are absolutely sure, pondering or indifferent towards a situation. One thing will always remain certain; we are gifted beyond measure.
8. Nate’s Fortress: Sometimes in protecting ourselves we may go overboard. For this young man being vulnerable is also an invitation to crumble and fall apart. No matter how much other may try he would not open his heart and mind, despite him wanting too.
5. Fairley’s not so fair life. At first glance the story seems sweet and innocent. Like this young man, if you remain naïve for too long tragedy may strike in any form. But remember to smile
“sienna's endless summer”
“Isaiah's Path”
“Hawkin's Wave”
“Nate's Fortress”
“Fairly's Not So Fair Life”
