This year, eight talented artists from Delbarton’s Class of 2025 showcased their full Sustained Investigations at the annual AP Art Exhibit in the Fine Arts Center. To highlight the creativity and dedication behind each senior artist’s work, we will be featuring them in our annual AP Artist Spotlight series.

Meet our third artist, Grant Parker:

Movement has always been a source of fascination for Parker. Growing up in the busy streets of Union County, he would watch cars rush by and marvel at airplanes soaring overhead, wondering at the seeming impossibility of flight. This lifelong curiosity led him to focus his AP Art Sustained Investigation on the motion, speed, and engineering of airplanes.

“How can I represent the intense motion and speed of airplanes on an unmoving canvas?” Grant asked himself as he embarked on his artistic journey. His exploration began with acrylic paints, using quick-drying washes to create a blur effect that captured movement. Over time, he expanded his techniques, incorporating oil and chalk pastels for their ability to blend seamlessly and enhance the illusion of speed.

Inspired by Riccardo Roig’s use of abstraction and collage, Grant introduced collaged newspaper elements into his background, adding a historical dimension to his pieces. His work balances realism with expressive energy, bringing the majesty of flight to life on canvas. As he continues to push the boundaries of his art, Grant remains committed to capturing the wonder of aviation through innovative techniques and dynamic compositions.

Thank you for sharing your talents with our community, Grant! Stay tuned for our next spotlight!