Life & Work with Evander Banks of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Evander Banks.

Hi Evander, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
It’s been 10 years since I moved to Atlanta from Middle Georgia. Originally when I came to Atlanta, I intended to wholeheartedly jump into audio engineering professionally, I wanted to attend SAE. The original plan was to get some type of certificate or degree in reference to music and then maybe entertain art. Let’s just say it didn’t happen that way, I ended up getting accepted into GSU and went after a studio fine art degree. At the time it just made sense. I had just received two associates ‘ degrees, Business Administration, and Secondary Education from Georgia Military College in Middle Georgia.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Since my last interview I would say the greatest struggle I personally went through was covid during 2020, that was an extremely tough year for me. That was a very uncertain time and that pressure is still evident today, especially with everything going on in the world right now socially and politically. I would also say art cost/ expenses, We always joke about the starving artist trope. But the artist wouldn’t be starving if they weren’t bankrolling everything, and I mean literally everything from A-Z.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work derives from street art and graffiti, I was professionally trained as a printmaker in undergrad. I’m currently making, showing, and selling art here in the Metro Atlanta area as well as nationally, and internationally. To date my most successful year was probably last year. I did 11 shows, 7 Black owned and operated shows 6 here in Atlanta, one in Pittsburgh. One in SoHo, New York which was curated by a Two Spirit artist (picture included) @lionicoart. One in Italy, London, and Canada.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
No, not necessarily

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Ecko_of_atl