“The mythical narratives in my work embody the spirit of modern man by visualizing aboriginal cultural perspectives that demonstrate the human condition outside of the edited scope of the western historical record. I create a juxtaposition of decipherable pictographic formulas that redefine our cultural lineage, leaving a thought-provoking legacy of self-awareness.”

Born in Pine Bluff Arkansas, Ariston Jacks currently lives and works in Baltimore, MD. After serving six years in the U.S. Navy, he completed a B.S. degree from the School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. As a Freshman, he designed the official sports logo still in use today. Later he earned an M.A. degree in studio painting from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. In addition to serving as faculty at UAPB and Lead Designer at Cooperative Extension Service, Jacks’ also devoted his time as Art Director for the Creative Expressions Program at the Arkansas State Hospital. This revolutionary psychiatric studio art program positively impacted the lives of Arkansans by empowering individuals living with mental illness through the visual arts. He has exhibited internationally and his works are included in numerous, public and private collections including the Mosaic Templar’s Museum, African American Museum of Dallas, and the UALR Foundation Collection. Jacks was recently awarded an Individual Artists Award through the Maryland State Arts Council and is the recipient of a 2020 Joan Mitchell Center Artist Residency.