Dear Ila Mag Readers,
I have the humble pleasure to introduce to you a Jax native artist, before he has hit stardom. Remember this name: Clayton Harris . He grew up in Jacksonville, attending our very own Episcopal School of Jacksonville but left his Jaguar roots for some city boots, to pursue bigger dreams at Parsons School of Design in New York City. Double majoring in Fine Arts and psychology, Harris brings a unique and eye-opening perspective to a canvas medium with a recurring acrylic style. His talent speaks beyond his canvas with the meaning behind his art, oftentimes reflecting a conflict of self, he prods the question of: how much of you is the result of who someone else told you that you are? How much of your personality was constructed from what you consume media wise? He acknowledges the internet raised most of Gen-Z through slight video-game and internet anecdotes cleverly featured in meme fonts and his use of retro video-game graphics. Calling attention to his piece titled Self Portrait, reflects a lot of his ideas about self-identity through the eyes of a playing card. To add to his artistic genius, he adds an orange square to represent his favorite album as an easter egg for those who view Self Portrait. Inpsiritaton is everywhere, in art, in music, and in a city like NYC which draws Harris specifically because it is an immersion of art in all of its fonts, and the people behind the mastery. When asked to give a message for you Ila Mag Readers, he urges you to make what you want to make, and don't make it for other people. Don't think. Just do.Â
Check Out His Art and His Journey
Insta: @claytonbharrisÂ
By: Rosemary Aziz
