“Ni–a hold a door. What you tryna’ to close it for? Ni–a hold a door. There’s room for some many more….” – Pharell Williams, “Kites”
Deep in the heart of Brooklyn at the IMAGE Art Gallery, there was something special going on. Last Friday, five visionaries in collaboration with PRYME Art Agency were exhibiting their works to show that artists working with artists is the blueprint all creatives need to succeed.
Headed by Darrius Ford, PRYME was created under one notion — to provide “a platform for artists who don’t have the exposure of a top-tier pop artist or street artist who is entering the fine art market.”
For fellow co-founder Bruce Miles, he discovered that the Chicago-based agency’s creation was intended to address the reoccurring issue of choked off opportunities for those labeled “urban artists” by the gatekeepers of the industry. He said,
“PRYME exists to dismantle the dated barriers of entry into the world of fine art and support creatives regardless of their styles or backgrounds. It exist to offer legitimate opportunities so that creatives can have their works recognized at the highest levels.”
Sponsored by Torres Familia, Pisco El Gobernador, Smojo, and Lazarus Naturals, the synergetic vibe at the agency’s launch could be felt throughout the room at the IMAGE Art Gallery.
Various styles of work juxtaposed and in the same room represented not only what PRYME stands for when it comes to creative collaboration but symbolized an idea the art world should inherit, as well.
For exhibiting lensman Setor Tsikudo, whose photographic works of musicians, rappers, and singers are an epic collection of frozen live performances, the event was more than an opportunity to showcase his creative eye. It was an important chance “to connect with other artists.”
That’s exactly what was happening in the room as patrons dabbled droplets of Lazarus CBD tinctures into their refreshments. If you were there the listening ear couldn’t help but catch the buzz of conversations including painters, photographers, neighborhood gallery owners, lyrical conductors, Instagram influencers, and clothing designers.
Artist Jaki Jacobs who was finessing a paintbrush across a large-scale canvas of what appeared to be an ancient depiction of Black hysteria set in modern times, fit perfectly into the artsy setting.
Behind him, an onlooking small crowd was interested in what he would touch up next. To him, the support made sense because if artists don’t support artists, “who will?”
“Art is like a family. It brings people together,” said Jacobs.
Art does bring people together and those responsible for building this community should be held on a pedestal. It’s important for young creatives who are making there way through the trenches of the divided and stereotypical art scene realize that they deserve the credit.
Abstract artist and partner at PRYME, Javon Browne aims to gain the respect deserved from the industry. He vented on spreading the message through artistic unity,
“A way to spread this message is sticking together and having a platform like PRYME to build unity to knock down the walls to get our voices and art seen and heard.”
Moving forward, PRYME looks to bring the talents of unheard and deserving artists to a global platform. This was Ford’s mission from the get-go as the format of the agency was designed and layered to embrace all various kinds of artists.
Already, PRYME has plans to take their talents stateside in two new exhibitions and another across the pond in the UK. Trust that big brands have their eyes turned towards this collective. Ford confidently told us,
“Pryme has many layers. I plan on showing all layers to the world. Building an international following has given us the opportunity to demonstrate our versatility and reach. We plan on using this exposure to support PRYME artists, recruit more designers and creatives, and show them to the world.”
For artists looking to join the ranks and dish out support, PRYME asks that you ask yourself the questions ‘WHY ME?’ and ‘WHY NOT?’
These questions according to Miles, provide the overall framework and expectations of what it means to become a PRYME artist.
“There are no limitations on what a PRYME artist can achieve,” said Miles.
The ‘WHY ME?’ is to better understand the artist and what their work adds to today’s current art space. The ‘WHY NOT?’ forces an artist to come to a realization about their passion and creativity and that both are more than enough to have their works shown on the highest platforms for fine art around the world.
Keep your eyes peeled for greatness from this artful agency and more importantly ask yourself those important questions. They could be the deal breaker to a successful career as a creative.
“Take your time to get to know yourself inside and out. Find your own identity, the rest will come on its own.” – CLUB BUM, exhibiting artist.