About the Artist
Destry S. Sparks is a contemporary mixed media painter using unconventional media such as driftwood, raw burlap and even parched white bones. These found objects create a visceral effect upon the surface of his works, bringing a very tangible element to painting. His influences range from contemporary international painters (Anselm Kiefer and Gregory Amenoff) and modern masters (such as Joan Miro) to untrained outsiders and ancient artists from diverse cultures (African, Aboriginal and native American). From his studio in the college town of Greenville, NC to galleries around the country, Sparks enjoys bringing his work to new audiences and networking with other artists stiving to create truly innovative work. He can be reached via email at destry3334me@hotmail.com and at www.destrysparks.com
Artist's Statement
So far as an artist I've concentrated on painting. I find the work of Gregory Amenoff, Marsden Hartley, Anselm Kiefer and Joan Miro particularly inspiring. Art history provides me with a springboard from which to jump into personal explorations.
I push painting into new directions. I attach found objects to the painted surface to provide a textured element atypical of the usual flat plane. I keep the rectangular format but things may be poking out a bit at the edges. The works will still be read as a painting.
I paint on raw, rough burlap. Paint upon the surface creates a strong criss cross pattern on the thick fibers. The hand of the painter is thus amplified, not concealed.
Burlap fits with my choice of other meager, well-worn materials. I attach discarded items such as rusted bottle caps and small 'worthless' natural items like sticks and smashed pine cones. This suggests all the affairs of humanity and every tiny part of the natural world are part of a large, complete divine plan. There really is no junk; everything and every person has a beauty and a part to play. Using windows for frames is a way to say, 'look into this different spiritual dimension'.
Contact Information:
Gallery - Click on an image to enlarge.
Small Mountains
This is a 2008 mixed media painting. Natural and manufactured found objects have been attached to raw burlap by discreet use of industrial strength adhesives. The burlap was painted upon to finish the painting. The work suggests an organized, almost mechanized universe; one full of order and well directed. The size is 9.5" h x 11" w.
The Cosmic Syntax
This is a 2006 mixed media painting. A balance of manufactured and natural found objects have been attached to raw burlap by discreet use of industrial strength adhesives. To complete the work, paint was applied to the burlap. The painting suggests there is a divine order for all things including us within the greater material universe. Our activities are just part of the whole. Ultimately, everything is orchestrated perfectly. The size is 33" h x 44" w.
The Ominous and the Beautiful
This is a 2006 mixed media painting. Natural and manufactured objects have been attached to raw burlap. The objects portending doom include funeral ornaments, parched white deer bones and a hornets nest. Promising a better fate are seeds (which bring life) and a highly organized compositional scheme. I am suggesting that while death is all around us, there is a greater life-affirming power keeping everything in check. To complete the work, acrylic paint was applied to the burlap. The size is 23.6" h x 28.2" w.
A Matter of Life and Death
This is a 2007 mixed media painting. About 100 found objects, both natural and manufactured, have been attached to raw burlap by discreet use of industrial strength adhesives. Paint was applied to the burlap to complete the painting. The work deals with the inter-connected relationship between life and death. While death is represented (by parched white bones and decayed things including dead amphibians) life reigns triumphant as a spiritual fountain erupts, spraying forth many more things and wonders. The size is 33.25" h x 44.25" w.
There Is a Path
This is a 2009 mixed media painting. Found natural and manufactured objects have been attached to raw burlap by discreet use of industrial strength adhsives. Some of the objects include sticks, small mechanical parts and plastic bottle caps. The size is 30" h x 40" w. In this mysterious dark place there is a path in the center. Above it on the far horizon are glowing concentric rings, a portal to somewhere else.
The Pod
This is a 2009 mixed media painting. Found natural objects have been attached to burlap by discreet use of industrial strength adhesives. Some of the objects include sticks, leaves, shells and antlers. It is a large painting at 48" h x 60" w. This work pays homage to African and Aboriginal natural media which have meant so much to my practice apart from modern and contemporary art theory.
