Nexus of Being (2024) is a self-reflective large-scale sculptural installation that bridges the tangible with the transcendental, intertwining the personal with the universal. Inspired by Biblical Scripture, the figure at rest, abstracted from my body is surrounded by natural and constructed elements illustrating my faith juxtaposed with life’s complexities. Crafted from humble materials like paper mache, foam, and natural materials (from my home in Georgia and Nashville), it seeks to distill spiritual concepts into a visual language. Scriptures from the Bible line the inside of the organic forms. I illustrate a heaven on earth, a respite provided amid opposition, yet peace remains and the body sleeps peacefully. I ponder what it means to find shelter and abide (1), to be connected to the Vine, nourished and bearing fruit. (2) My process is dynamic and adaptive, echoing the evolving nature of creation itself, it’s an ongoing interaction between the emerging piece and my creative intuition.

Life’s journey, replete with struggles that transcend identity or status, brings a collective experience of adversity. My walk of faith, while at times challenging, has provided me more than hope. As an African American woman raised in Georgia, with strong maternal ties to faith, I’ve seen a profound community and inspiring engagement with the church, and the one called “Jesus.”Christianity for me has always been more than a belief system—it’s a tangible, lived experience, offering protection and direction in the face of visible battles and spiritual principalities (3). While it may “rain on the just and the unjust” (4) we stand on the promise that though weapons may form, they will not prosper; I am never alone in weathering life’s storms.

This exhibition is a meditation on self, family, and humanity and a homage to the divine connection that promises to sustain me (5). I’ve always been drawn to the human condition as an engine of empathy. Exploring accessibility and transformation, I present the ordinary as extraordinary, portraying the body as a mirror to our collective soul. This work invites viewers to transcend traditional religious discourse, encouraging a space for reflection, questioning, and personal discovery. It is a celebration of the wonder and freedom found in faith, an invitation to connect with something greater than ourselves.

1 Mathew 11:28, Psalm 23, Psalm 4:8 2 John 15
3 Ephesians 6:12
4 Mathew 4:5
5 Hebrews 13:5

Bio

Angelica Parker, born in Chicago and raised in Georgia, has led a life enriched by diverse cultural experiences. Her upbringing, split among locations like London and Texas, exposed her to a broad spectrum of cultural and sociopolitical views, nurturing her love for diversity and the human experience. Art remained her steadfast companion, offering solace amidst constant change. In high school, Parker began discovering her artistic voice not through drawing but through the tactile joy of ceramics and 3D art in high school, which sparked a fervent interest in exploring the tangible manifestations of her imagination.

Set to graduate from Vanderbilt University with a BS in Human Organizational Development and a BA in Art, Parker has evolved into an interdisciplinary artist whose work encompasses installation, sculpture, painting, and collage. Beyond her artistic endeavors, she is deeply committed to community building and philanthropy within the arts. Parker’s journey reflects a profound appreciation for diversity and the universality of human experience, driving her to create art that fosters community engagement and celebrates the rich tapestry of human culture and belief.

Exhibition