Reconciling the disarray of life
(Tulsa) “This series is about connectedness,” says JCE Parker, the featured artist for May at Oklahomans for Equality’s monthly reception for, and exhibit of local Tulsa artists. The event opens with a reception Thursday, May 5 from 6-9 p.m. and continues through the month.
JCE Parker was born in Norman, Oklahoma in 1978. He attended Northlake Junior College in Dallas and received an Associates of Science Degree in 2000. After graduating in 2003 with a BA in Business Administration from Austin College in Sherman, Texas, he spent a few seasons playing professional baseball before settling down, starting a family and running his company. He currently resides in south Tulsa with his wife and three small children.
At an early age, it was apparent that he observed the complexity of life and tried to represent what he saw and how he felt through his artwork. In the beginning, much of his work was technical and exact; it wasn't until college that his connection with the abstract made itself known. The freedom of painting in abstract led him to blend the form of brushless strokes to the exactness of drawing. This technique is prevalent in much of the works he creates today.
Parker says, “This series is dedicated to the idea that I can make an attempt at reconciling the disarray and to be empathetic to those who go through the same battles.”
Each piece is created by applying multiple layers of paint; some layers erratic while others controlled and intentional. The next step is the "inking" process, where some or all of the individual colors or lines are outlined.
The layers of paint represent chaos, either unintended or deliberate. The outlining is an effort to control the chaos and bring some semblance of balance. This process can take a considerable amount of time, much like reconciliation in life.
The Artist’s Muse speaks to him in this way: "Life can be erratic and full of mistakes. When we make the effort to rectify those mistakes and bring order to the chaos, that is what makes us resolute. Recognizing those same efforts and struggles in each other, makes us connected and empathetic. “
The show begins with a reception on Thursday, May 5 at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, 621 E. 4th Street in downtown Tulsa from 6-9 p.m. There will be a door prize drawn of the artist’s work; the show continues throughout the month.
Founded by a dedicated group of volunteers in 1980, Oklahomans for Equality/OkEq is Oklahoma’s oldest gay rights organization. From testing for HIV/AIDS and hosting the annual Tulsa Pride and Diversity Celebration to operating the Equality Center and documenting the Tulsa LGBT community’s rich history, OkEq works for social justice and full inclusion for Oklahoma’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) citizens and their allies. www.okeq.org.
The Gayly - May 4, 2016 @ 8:25 a.m.