DRÉK DAVIS
Drék Davis, an Associate Professor of Art at Grambling State University, believes in creating art that will stimulate conversations and stir a response in viewers. Davis likes to explore the way politics and spirituality are addressed in society and the influence of African American spirituality on southern culture. His works “make it real.” He is this month’s BayouArtist. IN 1926, W.E.B. DUBOIS WROTE, “All art is propaganda and ever must be, despite the wailing of the purists.” DuBois was addressing Harlem Renaissance artists, but Rodrecas (Drék) Davis believes the sentiment is still relevant today and is one shared by him and most of the creatives he knows. According to Davis, “DuBois understood that Negro artists have a responsibility to people who look like them—to serve some sort of larger purpose and create art that is not just aesthetically pleasing.” Davis, an Associate Professor of Art, has taught at Grambling State University since 2007. His work is inspired by many things, including the quote from DuBois. “I’ve always felt compelled to produce something that will stimulate conversations,” he said. He also believes that DuBois was calling artists to create work that stirs a response. “By igniting the conversation, you are changing the world,” Davis said, “even if only in a small way. Getting people to interact with each other can be magical.” Davis has always enjoyed creating things, even as a kid. While in grade school in Monroe, Georgia, he made crafts for his mom and completed paintby-number kits his grandparents gave him, but it wasn’t until sixth grade that Davis had his first real encounter with art. At the time, his art teacher Mrs. Adams noticed something worth nurturing in a
few of her students and invited them to participate in an extra art class during social studies. “She gave us the freedom to explore more in that special session,” Davis said. Before being invited to do more art, Davis was extremely bored in school. Nothing engaged him, and he was doing so poorly he’d been placed in a class for students with learning disabilities. This placement later turned out to be a mistake because, according to Davis, art ignited a passion in him that increased his feelings of self-worth and helped him approach other academic subjects in a different way. “Having access to the arts through grade school really changed my life,” he said. In high school, Davis began playing the alto saxophone and joined his cousin who played in the band. He surrounded himself with creative people and also took Advanced Placement (AP) art classes. “That was the fun time—playing music and acting a fool,” he said. Simultaneously, his art teacher, Dr. Nelyne Allan, encouraged all her students to take their work seriously, which included exploring options to further their education. Because of her, Davis participated in a statewide art exhibition, prepared a portfolio and visited Ken Williams, a professor in the graphic design program at the University of Georgia. After the meeting with Williams, Davis decided to pursue art. “It made sense to me that art is what I should be doing,” he said.
article by APRIL CLARK HONAKER and photography by MARTIN G MEYERS 114 FEBRUARY 2017 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM