The Art of Memory and Transformation

In a small town named Modesto, 45 minutes northwest of the vibrant city of New Orleans, lies a plantation that holds within its walls the stories of many generations. It is here, amidst the sprawling fields and old oak trees, that I began my journey. Raised on this family plantation in Southeast Louisiana, my childhood was steeped in the rich tapestry of nature, history, and the whispers of ancestors. This sacred space was not merely a home; it was a spiritual haven, a place where the natural world intertwined with the imagination of a young boy. As a child, I would often climb to the rooftop of the two-story French Victorian plantation house, a vantage point that offered me a view of the stars and the moon that seemed to whisper secrets of the universe. With my little brother by my side, I would weave elaborate tales of far-off lands and adventures waiting to be discovered. “One day, I’m going to travel the world,” I would say, the promise hanging in the air like the sweet scent of magnolia blossoms. But as the years passed, what happened to that youthful ambition? What events transpired that would shape the course of my life and art? The turning point came when my father, a man with an artistic spirit, gifted me a 35 mm Nikon FT camera. This moment was transformative. The world of fine art photography opened up before me, and with it, a canvas for my stories. Yet, it is in the spaces between these moments that the intrigue lies. What emotions did the camera evoke? What secrets did it reveal about the world around me? How did the act of capturing images influence the narratives I had once spun under the stars? My early explorations into photography soon evolved into a fascination with mixed media and collage. Each piece I created became a reflection of my experiences, a fusion of memories, emotions, and cultural heritage. But the landscape of my life shifted dramatically in 2005, when Hurricane Katrina descended upon New Orleans like a monstrous wave, leaving devastation in its wake. This catastrophic event not only altered the physical realm of my beloved city but also reshaped my artistic journey. What was lost in the chaos? What emerged from the ruins? The devastation of Katrina acted as a catalyst, prompting me to delve deeper into my art. The remnants of my childhood home, now a memory washed away by the floodwaters, infused my work with a new sense of urgency and purpose. I began to explore themes of loss, resilience, and rebirth, drawing from the well of my own experiences. Yet, the question remains: how did this tragedy influence my creative voice? What stories did I uncover in the aftermath?As I ventured beyond the borders of Louisiana, my art found its way to exhibitions in Europe and Dakar, Senegal. Each new location presented a blank canvas, a chance to connect with a diverse audience through the language of art. My paintings, mixed media collages, and evocative photography began to resonate on a global scale, finding homes in both private and public collections around the world. The accolades and exhibitions raised another layer of intrigue: how could I navigate this newfound recognition? What internal struggles did I confront as I grappled with the complexities of identity and artistic expression? MY work has been featured in numerous publications, each page a testament to my evolving vision. But what drives me to create? What hidden narratives and motivations fuel my artistic fire? In a world increasingly defined by the digital and the transient, I remain anchored in the tangible—crafting pieces that speak to the enduring power of memory and experience. I am not just an artist; I am a storyteller, weaving together the threads of my past and present. My journey reflects the broader human experience—the struggle to find meaning in loss, the quest for connection, and the pursuit of dreams that echo through time. Each piece I create invites viewers to explore the mysteries of their own lives, to confront their own memories, and to find beauty in the fragmented nature of existence. As we gaze upon my art, we are left with questions lingering in the air. What truths lie beneath the surface of my work? What stories remain untold? In the spaces between my creations and the life I have lived, there exists a profound invitation to reflect on our own journeys. My story is one of resilience, transformation, and the unyielding spirit of creativity—a testament to the power of art to transcend boundaries and connect us all. In the end, my journey is not just about what I have achieved, but also about what remains to be discovered. The plantation that nurtured my spirit, the camera that opened my eyes, and the storms that shaped my path are all part of a larger narrative—one that continues to unfold with each brushstroke, each photograph, each moment of inspiration. My story is a reminder that art is not merely a reflection of the world; it is a powerful force that can transform it. My work (paintings, mixed media, collage and photography) has been exhibited in the United States and Europe, including at the New Orleans Museum of Art, the Louisiana State Museum, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, the CAC in New Orleans. Houston’s DiverseWorks, Waternoodsmuseum (the Netherlands), Amsterdam Photo Biennale (Official US entry), the Darkroom, Stella Jones Gallery and Octavia Art Gallery (New Orleans), Arps Gallery (Amsterdam), PH-Neutro (Verona), Galleria Bongiovanni (Bologna), Photoville (NYC) and the Milan Image Art Fair (MIA), Milan, Italy. Work from the E2 series has been catalogued in the Gemeentemuseum’s 2012 book, entitled Liefde (Love).  In 2010, the University of New Orleans Press, published the book, Before During After: Louisiana 

Permanent Collections

 Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, TX (e2) New Orleans Museum of Art, New Orleans, LA  Louisiana State Museum, New Orleans, LA Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Trento and Rovereto in Trento, Italy (e2) International Center of Photography, New York, NY  Martin Margulies Collection, Miami, FL Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami,  Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Houston, TX  Nasher Museum, Durham, NC Newark Museum, Newark, NJ Oakland Museum, Oakland, CA Orange County Museum of Art, Newport Beach, CA Rubell Family Collection, Miami, FL Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York,  Ulrich Museum, Wichita, KS Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hartford,  CT Whitney Museum of American Art, New York,      

Corporate and Private Collections

 Galleria Bongiovanni, Bologna, Italy Octavia Art Gallery, New Orleans, LA (e2) Stella Jones Gallery, New Orleans, LA Boxart Art Gallery, Verona, Italy Eduard Planting Gallery, Amsterdam, the Netherlands Bank Plus, Main Office Jackson, MS Bank Plus, Wealth Management, Jackson, MS Desiree Rogers, Chicago, IL Emeril Lagasse, New Orleans, LA and New York, NY Reggie Bush, New Orleans  Bradd Pitt & Angelina Jolie, New Orleans, LA Senga Interior Design, San Mateo, CA Eileen and Peter Norton Family Collection, Santa Monica, CA  Sir Elton John Collection, Atlanta, GA  

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