BIOGRAPHY
1994-
Born in Columbia, South Carolina, Marvin James III is an ambidextrous artist who received his B.F.A. from Auburn University. He has been demonstrating this rare gift since the age of 17 not only in art, but also in every possible aspect of his life. Yes, he enjoys showcasing his work, but more importantly he enjoys this unique creative process that hasn't been seen since Leonardo Da Vinci. He is currently an Elementary Art teacher for the Muscogee County School District in Columbus, GA.
LEONARDO DA VINCI
"Saper vedere"
CLOUD FORMATIONS
When I think back to my childhood, I always recall my first memory-- clouds. At the time, I was not looking for anything in particular. I was just fascinated with what I was seeing. At this point in my life, as short as it was, I had never noticed them. I didn’t even know what they were called. The only thing that I was certain about was that they interested me. My recollection of that moment is so strange. It is still hard for me to believe that my life, as I know it, began looking at the sky. It had an impact on me so great that I explored it in a body of work. These were the results.
SPECIFIC PHOBIAS
Fear is a powerful thing. If we can learn to harness that fear, and use it to drive us, then we can go amazing places. Within this body of work, several images that present specific, yet serious phobias are used to assist viewers (who may, or may not, have these phobias) in understanding them on a higher level.*
*CAUTION EXPLICIT SUBJECT MATTER*
CONTINUOUS LINE
Continuous line is used as the visual language to project the African American experience over various points in American history. Imagine something that a child would create. Now, imagine what a child can perceive. This simple form of representation directs our focus towards historical moments (context) as opposed to the visual (content). For this reason, each piece has been given a title for clarity.
HIDDEN JEWELS
ARTIST STATEMENT:
DARKROOM PHOTOGRAPHY
In my opinion, one cannot have a true appreciation for photographic media until they have attempted the darkroom developmental process. The challenge is getting a proper exposure to begin with, which is unable to be viewed. In other words, it is in one's best interest to anticipate that there will be mistakes and adjust accordingly.
ARTIST STATEMENT:
ARCHITECTURE
Whether they be modern, or abandoned, there is beauty in architecture.
ABANDONED BUILDINGS
Remnants of found structures in various conditions
"My introduction to art history was like everybody else's. You see an art history book that has works by Rembrandt and Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Yes, these things are great. But I don't see a reflection of myself in any of these things I'm looking at."
-Kerry James Marshall
CV
SHOWS
BFA Senior Thesis Exhibition Clown Face, Icarus, Soft Lips II; Tiger Shark, Westminster Champion 2019
Auburn University Student Juried Art Show River Mill, Chatahoochee River (GA) 2018
Raeford B. Lyles Award Winner