Today we’d like to introduce you to Larry Silver.
Hi Larry, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I was born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and have always held a deep-seated love for the arts since I was a child.
I would draw Disney movie covers, picture books, and anime magazines. I was first inspired to create portraits by noticing a drawing of my grandmother on our living room wall that my mother drew back in the day. She never spoke much about her artist journey, but the drawing showed me how passionate she was about art at one point in time.
Another place of inspiration growing up was my cousin’s barbershop. He was also an artist. There were pieces of art he collected from black hair shows around Atlanta. While waiting for my haircut, I would stare at the different hairstyles adorned on the wall as well as the other art pieces on the opposite side of the shop, where I would play checkers against myself to keep from boredom.
Outside of the aforementioned aspects, there weren’t many symbolisms of black art in my community. Irrespective of an anime drawing or an Alabama football drawing, I couldn’t help but notice how unique black people were when captured artistically. However, I’m not sure if those around me understood how worthy they were of being captured through art.
Dabbling in different interests through my adolescent years, I was still drawn to the arts. I saw it more as something I needed to do more so than wanted to.
Despite not really having much relation to my environment when it came to expressing myself as an artist, I built confidence in myself. I strived to capture what I felt was needed instead of just creating Alabama football drawings to make money like others in my surroundings wanted.
I relocated to Birmingham in 2016 and met my wife, who is a writer/author. In moving to Birmingham, I strengthened my passion for the arts by connecting with others in the art community. They understood that they’re creating elements that are a representation of something larger than themselves – and from insightful verbal to artistic symbolic expressions seen in the Kelly Ingram Park statues to the Civil Rights Museum, you see that here. I’ve witnessed progression in the city that motivates creatives to add color and personality.
During my journey connecting with creatives, I’ve been recognized by the media twice (Bham Now in 2021 as a top 12 artist in the city and Birmingham Times). I was also a guest on Montgomery’s WSFA News to discuss my solo exhibit at Huntingdon College in 2023. I also held speaking engagements at Huntingdon College and Alabama State University. I’m currently exhibiting at Miles College in a group exhibition sponsored by the Fairfield Black Art Collective. I was one of 100s to win a Montgomery Fine Arts Musuem Art Guild award for a piece in their exhibit and have also been commissioned by leaders at the Medgar and Myrlie Museum in Jackson; Ms. I’m also honored to have my artwork make the front cover of Madison, Wisconsin’s Umoja 2020 “Vote” magazine issue. Being involved in the arts has opened many doors to for me to be inspired even further.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Artists have no paved, designated path; rather, the journey of an artist is full of twists and turns. Taking yourself and your craft seriously when others may not is one of the most difficult obstacles to face as an artist. But it’s an obstacle that can transition to enlightenment if you navigate through it persistently. On the other side of this struggle, you will gain a better understanding and more trust in yourself and your craft. Having a vision and not letting fear hold you back is key.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
The core of my work revolves around the aesthetic of black people embracing their image by using oil painting as my medium. The history we are taught about our culture focuses on conformity or the struggle to fit into a concept. However, my work is all about embracing standing out. Being a creative within the black community, there’s always an untold responsibility to combat negative imagery being pushed on us. I use art to confirm my self-worth and I hope to spread that confirmation amongst others as well. The goal of my work is to use my visual voice as a blueprint to connect on a higher vibration so that others can see themselves and feel empowered. I want my art to speak to them in ways where they know they’re not alone. I think the world does an amazing job of making you feel as if you’re the only one going through what you’re going through. I think that’s where art steps in and displays the real truth.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up.
I was very passionate about building Legos as a child. I would make an arena, Empire State-style building, and domes as backdrops where my action figures could fight. I was very critical about the scenery for the storyline that I made up in my head.
Contact Info:
- Website: silverbrush.net
- Instagram: SilverArts_91
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/larrysilver.75
