Meet Brian Hebert | Executive Director, Chief Curator & Artist

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

Hi Brian, why did you pursue a creative career?
I feel that my career path chose me. Reason being is that I have been a creative my whole life, even when it was not cool to be. I knew I was an artist at a young age and believed that I would get deeper into the arts as I matured. Upon entering college, I found myself looking at potential majors, but the only major that made sense was art. Once i decided to pursue a career as an artist, it was no turning back, therefore I went full throttle, learned all I needed to learn and got out of there to pursue my career and my steps have been ordered since.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a conceptual painter, my work speaks to the dynamics we face on a day to day, the imbalances of society, racial injustices disguised as everyday norms. My current body of work is titled, The Return of the Ghetto Bastard, Flags to Rags, which sheds light on nationalism, the representation of national flags like the United States flag and other countries outside the US.. We know that each nation has its own flag and the flags are symbolic for a nations status. The colors of the flags are symbolic and are often red, white and blue, which are the colors also used by street gangs, red vs blue in cities like Los Angeles and San Diego that are known to push a hard line as far as gang culture. The symbol for the Ghetto Bastard is the Akuaba taken from Ghanaian culture as a fertility figure used by expecting mothers as a practice child in preparation for the real thing. The Akuaba in my work represents the motherless child not expected to survive but yet instill thrives beyond expectation. The images are typically in the foreground of a flag of some sort representing a country that has struggled against colonialism. The Akuaba is coupled with an image of a canine companion and a wavy flag that represents that the struggle continues. On the Flags to Rags pieces, the stars from the US flag have been removed and replaced with fallen stars or a paisley motif taken from rags used in gang culture. The piece vary in sizes and surfaces from traditional canvas to un-stretched canvas to wood in oil and or acrylic paint. My work is original, with a concept designed by my own life experiences that derived over time to say exactly what I want to say. I’m very proud of the work and what it has evolved into. “Art is either, plagiarism or revolution”, Paul Gaugin, which is some of the truest words spoken about this art game, I strive to be a symbol of revolution. I consider myself to be a composer of art. My commitment to my art and passion for teaching, mentoring, curating and sharing with all has brought me to this point, it has given me access to the world. it was not an easy journey. I stood firm to overcome any and all challenges. Stay true to yourself and good things will follow.

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?
I would take them to some local art functions, opening receptions, art tours, etc. I would look at places like the High Museum of Art or a music venue like City Winery, Mable House Amphitheatre or Chastain. I would take them to several food spots like, Guachas Breakfast Bar for brunch and Nan Thai, Ocea or Nuevo Laredo Cantina for dinner. Some of the visits will take place at my house where we would talk and have the best conversations looking at my art collection. For the week long visit, we would go to The Beltline, Lennox Mall, The West End and take a road trip or two to the mountains and the beach in Alabama or South Carolina.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
In my journey, i have to give a special shoutout to my parents, Ruby and Bernard for allowing me to choose my path and a extra special one for my father, Bernard Hebert for telling me and my sister at an early age that we can do whatever we set our minds to do, he taught us metaphysics at an early age. My twin sister, Brandy for being there. I have to shoot one to my college professors and mentors at Southern University, Robert Cox, Martin Payton, Addie Euba and Randall Henry. I want to give another special one to my now deceased wife, Elenh for starting life together and sharing her last days with me and our children, Esaba and Adio, who I love and cherish with all my heart. My now grown children brought me through many hard times just being there as a major motivator to keep going despite. I have to give another shoutout to my first Directors at the Southwest Art Center, James Reese and Michael Simanga for believing in me and allowing me to spread my wings in my position at the Southwest Art Center where i cut my teeth in this art game.

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Website: www.artsclayton.org

Instagram: bern174

Linkedin: Brian Hebert

Facebook: Brian Hebert

Youtube: www.artsclayton.org

Image Credits
Image credit goes to Brian Hebert and Arts Clayton.