Meet Shrodrick Spikes | Artist, Designer, Art Director & Curator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shrodrick Spikes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shrodrick, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
For me, creating came natural and it’s something I’ve done my entire life. As my creative practice began to evolve, I realized it was more than just creating, it was therapy. I figured if it helped me throughout life, I’m sure it would do the same for others. I decided that I wanted to shift my focus by providing creative stimuli, while changing the way people experience art, design, fashion, and wellness.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Well for starters, I’m rebranding myself. It’s a lot more complex than I anticipated it to be, but I love the challenge. I’ve been going back and forth a lot, but I just believe in persevering and keep trying until I get it right. Last year, I decided to have my final art show Black Phase. I want to transition from traditional art shows to art experiences. For my 30th birthday this past August, I wanted to curator an art experience. Due to COVID-19, I couldn’t do anything at any venue that had a large crowd, so I had to pivot and rethink my approach. Although the odds and a pandemic was against me, I wanted to create something my audience could enjoy while being quarantined. That’s when I came up with the idea to create Thirty. Thirty is the first project for my Contemporary Creative House, Shrodrick Spikes, LLC. The contemporary creative house focuses on changing the way we experience art, design, fashion, and wellness. Thirty is an American afro-futuristic erotic short film that I wrote, directed, and produced. It was co-produced by Spelman College Alumna, Diamond Sands. It premiered on August 22, 2020 on my website, www.shrodrickspikes.com. I wanted the film to be a nod to the “dirty thirty” concept, since I was turning 30. The film stars model and fashion designer Deshanique Blanco. With each art experience, I incorporate one or more of the 4 brand key elements. For Thirty, I decided to create the Shrodrick Spikes Bamboo Cotton Underwear. This line of ladies underwear is limited edition and was only designed for the film. The underwear come in 2 styles, thong panty and cheeky. They’re available in sizes S-XL. Thirty was filmed at the beautiful white Haus Gables asymmetrical home. It’s located in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward. The home was designed by award winning architect, Jennifer Bonner. Haus Gables is one of a handful of residences in the country made of cross-laminated timber (CLT), an exceptionally strong wood material produced by gluing together layers of lumber that alternate in direction. A long-standing research project on roof typologies found in the American South informed this proof-of-concept. Haus Gables is a cluster of six gable roofs, combined to form a single roof.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
It really depends on what they want to do. Atlanta has a lot of good food and a pretty cool culture. There’s a lot of sight seeing for tourists in the Downwtown Atlanta area near Marietta Street. One place we would have to go to is Savage Pizza in Little 5 Points. Another one of my favorite spots to eat in the city is Viva La Vegan in Oakland City. Homegrown for brunch is a must, and of course The High Museum for some art. Some other really cool hangouts in the city are The Porsche Experience, StarLight Six, Atlantic Station, Ponce City Market, The Botanical Garden, Pedimont Park, Grant Park, Zoo Atlanta, The Vortex, The Beltline, Miami Circle, Midtown Atlanta, and Castleberry Hill. This list could really go on forever.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
God, my family, my life partner, and my friends. A continuous support system that I’m forever grateful for.

Website: www.shrodrickspikes.com
Instagram: @shrodrickspikes
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/shrodrickspikes
Twitter: @shrodrickspikes
Facebook: @shrodrickspikesofficial
Other: Email: info@shrodrickspikes.com

Image Credits
Photos by @thediamondsands, @bonnie.blu, @shrodrickspikes (Myself)