I'm interested in social dynamics, role modeling, and how media affects our opinions, actions, and identity. These investigations are both reflective and observational. Generally, I take into account nostalgia, notions of beauty, materialism, personal politics, and memory. I would describe my paintings as emblematic constructions that combine collage, stencils, mixed media, and traditional modes of painting. Although the work is often socially conscience, I prefer to raise questions rather than take on overt stance.
Richards attended UNC-Wilmington, where he earned a BA in Art in 1999. In 2003, he enrolled in SUNY Empire State College as a non-matriculated graduate student. This MSLA program afforded him a studio in Manhattan with weekly studio visits and critiques from established artists, critics, and curators. Richards left NYC in the spring of 2006, returning to North Carolina to pursue art full time. He Moved to Raleigh in August 2006, and in January 2007 he was awarded the Regional Emerging Artist Residency at Artspace. In September 2007, he was featured in Southwest Art's annual emerging artist issue, 21 under 31. In November 2007, he was included in his first museum show, The Human Scale, at the Cameron Museum in Wilmington, NC. In April 2008, he was awarded Best in Show for his piece Bootleg Romanticism, by Dr. Larry Wheeler, Director of the North Carolina Museum of Art, Juror for the North Carolina Artists Exhibition. Richards recently completed a 3-month residency at The Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts in Omaha, NE, for October-December 2009.
He is represented by Flanders Art Gallery in Raleigh, NC.
Richards attended UNC-Wilmington, where he earned a BA in Art in 1999. In 2003, he enrolled in SUNY Empire State College as a non-matriculated graduate student. This MSLA program afforded him a studio in Manhattan with weekly studio visits and critiques from established artists, critics, and curators. Richards left NYC in the spring of 2006, returning to North Carolina to pursue art full time. He Moved to Raleigh in August 2006, and in January 2007 he was awarded the Regional Emerging Artist Residency at Artspace. In September 2007, he was featured in Southwest Art's annual emerging artist issue, 21 under 31. In November 2007, he was included in his first museum show, The Human Scale, at the Cameron Museum in Wilmington, NC. In April 2008, he was awarded Best in Show for his piece Bootleg Romanticism, by Dr. Larry Wheeler, Director of the North Carolina Museum of Art, Juror for the North Carolina Artists Exhibition. Richards recently completed a 3-month residency at The Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts in Omaha, NE, for October-December 2009.
He is represented by Flanders Art Gallery in Raleigh, NC.
