PARABLES
SEPTEMBER 26-29, 2024
NEW YORK CITY
Parables, a solo exhibition by Daniel Hibbert, continues the artist's exploration of storytelling as a universal tool for enlightenment, connection and cultural discourse. A response to increased social and political polarization, Parables calls for a return to immutable principles such as grace and humility over dogma.
The series challenges the societal partitions of legalism and perfectionism with eight ancient allegories expressed through vivid layers of color and texture on large scale mixed-media works. While the human instinct is to reduce our relationships and environments to binary choices of “right” and “wrong” or “good” and “bad”, Parables encourages us to look inward at our own contradictions as a way of better understanding the world – suggesting, as renowned therapist Esther Perel would say, that life and relationships are a series of “paradoxes to be managed, not problems to be solved.”
Hibbert, an artist and a mechanical engineer by education, spent the last two years reflecting on his own dualities and paradoxes, including his relationships with perfection, the logical vs. the emotional, structure vs. freedom, and internal fulfillment vs. external approval. Parables invites viewers into the intimate space of the artist's own introspection. Within that space, is a conversation between the freedom of unrestrained expression and the power of words as evidenced through bold, emotive strokes of color in the background with words of original language in select works.
The word "parable" is derived from the Greek word "parabolē" which translates to "to throw alongside", referring to the double or triple-meaning that often lies within ancient allegories. Considering the layers of complexity within each parable, Hibbert drew inspiration for his aesthetic from relief maps which guide viewers not only towards a destination but also give them a reference for the depth of the terrain. In works such as "The Talents" and "The Sower’, Hibbert skillfully introduces layer upon layer of acrylic, plaster, spray paint, found items and oil pigment creating a sense of depth that inspires an enthralling search for meaning in the both the original parable and its eponymous artwork. "The Friend at Midnight", with its hansa yellows, cadmium reds and scratches of light magenta reminds us that fortune favors the bold. As we journey further into the series, we are confronted with questions about why it is hard to extend grace to others and at what point does tradition impede progress?
This exhibition showcases Daniel Hibbert’s unique ability to intertwine artistic vision with compelling messages and memorable experiences. In Parables, Hibbert aims to create connection through introspection using a common denominator of art and storytelling. This series of works extends an invitation to each of us to see each other by seeing ourselves and then close the imaginary distance between us.
SELECTED WORKS
