DESTRY SPARKS SOLO EXHIBITION AT THE DANVILLE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS IN VIRGINIA

Twelve contemporary mixed media paintings by Greenville, NC artist Destry Sparks will be on display in the Boatwright Gallery at the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History in Danville, VA from June 25 to August 22, 2010. A public reception to honor the artist is scheduled for the evening of June 25th at the historic Sutherlin Mansion which houses the museum from 5:00 to 7:30. The mansion is the crown jewel of the tourist destination known as Millionaire’s Row in Danville, VA just over the border north of Greensboro.

Sparks is known for attaching a variety of worn found objects (both natural and manufactured) to burlap and other rough surfaces to create a particularly visceral effect atypical of traditional flat plane painting. His influences are diverse from traditional African craftsmen to contemporary masters including Anselm Kiefer. With objects ranging from decayed window frames to dried leaves, themes of deterioration are offset by redemptive messages of hope from Christian theology. Viewers are encouraged to consider the idea that everything (and by extension everyone) has a place in the world. Nothing is worthless or without purpose ultimately.

‘When objects typically categorized as junk are elevated and placed on a wall in a painting within the lofty sphere of fine art, we’re more likely to notice and appreciate the beauty and design of even the smallest of things’, Sparks says.

His work has been shown around the country and overseas later this year in the Outsiders Art Festival in Adelaide, South Australia. Spark’s work has won numerous awards including First Place last year in the 2nd International Society of Acrylic Painters Online International Open Exhibition. Media mentions include a feature on the www.aestheticsnow.com website. Locally his work is normally available at Carteret Contemporary Art in Morehead City and InkStone Gallery in Winterville. During the Danville show however, many of his pivotal works will be dedicated to this important mid-career exhibition.

For more information about the artist’s work, visit www.destrysparks.com. The artist is also very active on www.facebook.com where he regularly shares art ideas and news about his group show projects with other artists with over 4,000 art world friends. News about the exhibition in Danville is also available at the museum website at www.danvillemuseum.org.