Welcome to Reinventing-Reality where I’ve been creating my unique craft; Photographic Collages for over 14 years.  The foundation behind my work began with my curriculum at the University of Tennessee School of Architecture.  It taught me to observe time, understand spatial relationships and gather experiences of a specific place.  Over the years I’ve developed the craft to include sketching out the idea, rotating the camera to achieve different angles and layering each photo with an observance of a place during different times of the day.  These multiple layers of variables engage the viewer allowing one to experience the poetics of space.

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The Places You Go

    My work began as a series of collages documenting the process of King Farm; a suburban development in Rockville, Maryland.   In 2005, I began selling my work at the Historic Eastern Market; the neighborhood where the Parker family lived from the 30’s through the 90’s. Over the years, I’ve continually participated in regional Art Markets and my works have also been available for purchase at the National Building Museum Shop.  In 2009, the collage of The Swearing In Ceremony of President Obama was featured on CNN.com followed by an exhibit at the Newseum on Pennsylvania Avenue.  In 2011, I created the “Art Trike” the District’s first mobile art bike business.  It’s a custom designed “Cargo Trike” in collaboration with Haley Trikes of Philadelphia, PA. In back to back exhibits at the District Architecture Center in Washington, DC and at Nashville International Airport, I exhibited my works around a common theme of the “Built Environment” which focuses on City Fabric, National Architecture, Transportation and the places where we Play.

Subject Matter

    My work is created out of my studio in Arlington, VA.  The work is centered in the DMV region capturing morning sunrises of the Cherry Blossoms to late day shadows of the Monuments, neighborhoods and sporting events.  Travels have taken me from New Orleans to Boston, New York to San Francisco and abroad.

Cancer Survivor

    In September 2018, I was diagnosed with Stage III Male Breast Cancer.  In June 2019, I completed a year-long treatment at John Hopkins Sibley Memorial Hospital that included chemotherapy, surgery and radiation.  They say art is therapeutic for cancer patients – so I felt like I got that one nailed!  During treatment, I maintained a positive attitude and was supported by family and friends.  I developed a slogan called “HammerOn” which is installed in my work ethic to keep getting up and moving on with life.

Thank You

    I look back on an incredible journey with excitement on what the future holds.  It would not be possible without all the support from everyone and I deeply thank you all.  I’m looking forward to exciting projects, new collages, sharing my positive experience, giving hope and be a resource to others.

Matthew Parker
#HammerOnCancer 
My Blog about my cancer journey