Meet Aort Reed | Contemporary Visual Fine Artist & Muralist

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

Hi Aort, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk is a very delicate element when it comes to creative careers. It’s one of the most important & determines if a person has the ambition & grit it takes to dive into an independent career path. Sacrifice & risk both work hand & hand with putting time & energy into your craft. Being an artist definitely takes a lot of time focusing on, reflecting on & creating a quality body of work. Taking the risk to jump off the cliff & take flight into an unconventional path 100% can be scary for most, but is very important for true artists.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
If I had to explain my work, I would say it’s more of a communication to those viewing it. My work may come off a bit cryptic or complexed but definitely speaking conceptually. I tend to integrate multiple layers stemming from abstract expressionism, primitivism, graffiti & figurative based elements. A lot of the work comes from my experiences, education & things I feel emotionally from day to day. It all kinda creates somewhat of a diary or journal of the journey, in turn bringing the work of art into fruition. I would like those who experience it to get a sense of timelessness & limitlessness.

What I’m most excited about these days are the large scale murals that I work on & create. There’s something about huge art that satisfies the creative crave, along with making the work not just for the self, but for the all around community to experience & enjoy. Murals give me a sense of connection with the public.

I can honestly say it wasn’t easy getting to this point in my career but it was & still is definitely an adventure. I’ve learned a great deal through experiences & spontaneity along the way. Everything can’t always be a master plan but building genuine relationships with like elements & people is vital to not only creative success but success in general.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Little 5 points Pour Taproom: Midtown
The Underground
The High Museum
R. Thomas
Atlantic Station
Zakia
The list goes on…

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to give a big honest shout out to the artist Andre Benjamin from the group Outkast. Some years ago back in 2005 I met him at a vegetarian restaurant in Decatur Atlanta. At the time I was working a regular 9 to 5 & painting on the weekends on my off time. This particular day, I was sitting with my pregnant wife at the time waiting on our meal feeling like I needed to do something more fulfilling as far as work. 5 minutes later, Andre 3000 pops up in the doorway.. I was like “what the f%*#! Look who it is!” I can honestly say that this guy was a real gentleman. He came over & shook hands with my wife & I wishing us a nice day. Nothing super crazy happened, it was just a real down to earth experience.. one that made me realize we’re all (artist) from the same planet & there’s nothing that I can’t do as long as I put my mind & core to it; & that my friend was the start of me pursuing my creative path.

Website: aortreed.com

Instagram: Aort1982

Linkedin: Aort Reed

Facebook: Aort Reed

Youtube: Aort1982

Other: Just Google Aort Reed

Image Credits
Drake White Laura Kathleen