Bio

Welcome to Reinventing-Reality where I’ve been creating my unique craft; Photographic Collages since 2005. 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.

The Places You Go

My first works from 2001 - 2004 involved exploring subjects and defining my idea, from large scale pieces of the Grand Canyon, Brooklyn Bridge and King Farm; a suburban development in Rockville, Maryland. In 2005, I founded my business and began selling my work at Eastern Market; the neighborhood where the Parker Family lived from the 30’s through the 90’s. I started with one table and a handful of collages, growing overtime to 179 collages and growing. Each year, there have been regional art markets, exhibits and opportunities. To highlight a few that were influential in my journey are: 2006 - National Building Museum Shop, 2009 - collage of The Swearing In Ceremony of President Obama featured on CNN followed by an exhibit at the Newseum on Pennsylvania Avenue. 2011 - I created the “Art Trike” a custom designed “Cargo Trike” in collaboration with Haley Trikes of Philadelphia, PA. 2015 - Solo exhibits at the District Architecture Center and Nashville International Airport, exhibited 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 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. Works were created out of DC’s Shaw Neighborhood until 2015 when I moved to Arlington, VA where my studio currently resides. In between the successes, I have a remained a full time Executive Associate at Shalom Baranes Architects in DC. Family has grown to include sons Knox and Logan and a wonderful wife LeaAlice of 16 years, all which have made appearances in collages.

Cancer

In September 2018, I was diagnosed with Stage III Male Breast Cancer at 41. 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 instilled in my work ethic to keep getting up and moving on with life. In the time after June 2019, I explored once again, attending NLCS Game 4 to watch the Nationals get into the World Series, the Nats “Stay in the Fight” slogan resonated with me. In 2020, Covid-19 spread over the world and changed ways in which we experience everyday life. In February 2021, I was diagnosed with Stage IV Male Breast Cancer which is cancer that has metastasized. In March 2021, I underwent Cyber Knife Radiation and I’m currently on a lifetime treatment of oral medications. I am stable, positive and continuing to HammerOn! I have found a way to use what I learned from the my first cancer and apply it to my daily life. My artwork supplies me with energy that no pill can provide, and that is why I have chosen to continue what I love doing.

Thank You

In March 2021, I began a new Mini Collage Flower Series inspired in part from Covid-19 and the cancer diagnosis. Each flower collage is from multiple neighborhood yards containing individual photos layered by hand.
Life is an incredible journey, I created all of this from an idea, it would not be possible without all the support from everyone and I deeply thank you. I’m looking forward to new collages from my recent trip to Maine, more flowers, sharing my positive experience, giving hope and being a resource to others.
Watch NBC Today Show's 3rd Hour on "Brotherhood" from my cancer retreat with Reel Recovery this October 2021
Matthew B. Parker
#HammerOnCancer
My Blog about my cancer journey