Shelby x Parys Gardener

Parys Gardener is an award-winning contemporary digital illustrator based in Bristol, UK. As well as being commissioned for a project with Banksy and creating engaging editorial design for the likes of gal-dem zine, she recently debuted her own solo exhibition in Amsterdam. Her illustrations centre the experience of black British women and she has a passion for communicating theories surrounding identity and culture, taking inspiration from her background and family history. You'll find elementals of popular culture, intersectional feminism, Black and Caribbean British stories throughout her colourful, vibrant and engaging illustrations. 

 

Q1. Have you always wanted to be an illustrator? What led you to the work you’re doing now? 

I’ve always wanted to create things and for a while, that is what drove me. As I continued to explore my own creativity and define what that meant for me, I realised that storytelling is what I wanted to do. 

In school, I always leaned towards creative subjects that allowed me to use digital technology. I took English language, art, photography and media studies at A level and found innovative ways to work across those mediums. I wasn't the best at ‘traditional’ drawing or illustration so for a while I thought my pathways could only be through film, the problem was I felt like the process of filmmaking wasn't as fulfilling as I expected.



Q2. Who or what are the biggest influences on your work and life to date?

On a personal level, I’m continually inspired by the strength and the legacies of my grandparents, particularly my grandmothers who were part of the Windrush generation. The more I learn about their lives, the more I become inspired to work hard. I’m also extremely proud of my heritage and I find the theories surrounding cultural identity. Those themes are always subconsciously influencing my work.

On a wider level, I think what influences me is creating a world that represents the world I see around me through art, as well as making that art accessible to the people who it speaks too. 

My biggest ‘celebrity’ influences are artists like Emory Douglas, Sonia Boyce, Yinka Shonibare and Grayson Perry but as far as people and creatives who influence and inspire me every day that has to be the womxn in the communities around me and I think that’s something reflected in my work. 



Q3. What do you think the role of art and the artist is?

I think that the role of the artist is to communicate, inspire, document and reflect. That could also sometimes look like challenging the status quo and sparking uncomfortable conversations too but not always. 

Q4. We’ve spoken a little about whether art reflects community/culture or if culture/community influences art? Could you share some of your thoughts?

I think that art and reflection of culture/community have to be an ongoing conversation - society and artists are constantly feeding one another; it just depends on the artists' position in the conversation. 

At the moment we are living within a society that feels very transactional and fast-paced which I think has influenced the position of art within culture. In a way it feels more accessible for artists to build and establish themselves; and for consumers to own unique works of art in their homes in terms of physical things like paintings and sculptures for example. On the other side, there is also a lot of pressure on new or emerging artists to ‘stay relevant’ which could be hindering the opportunity for many to create explorational or challenging work.



Limited edition A3 giclEe prints of Parys gardenders’ beautiful illustration are available here.

Limited edition A3 giclEe prints of Parys gardenders’ beautiful illustration are available here.

Q5. What’s been your career highlight so far and why?


Being involved in the Bristol Lights Festival has to be a massive highlight for me, seeing my work animated and then projected on the side of a building on Park St alongside Banksy’s work, I’m still processing almost a year later. 


There are so many levels why this still feels so monumental, the history of the area and its connections to the Transatlantic Slavetrade and the genocide of my anestors, to then have my work on there that included the experiences of Black Brittish people projected onto the side of a building.


Q6. If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?

My top three dream brand collaborations would have to be Ivy Park x Adidas, Google Doodle and Netflix. 


Q7. Where can people find more of your work?

At www.parysgardener.com and on Instagram

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