BIOGRAPHY

I have over 40 years experience in art and over 30 years experience teaching and producing in the field of interactive media. My art is my meditation and reprieve from the world of computers. I draw inspiration equally from my backgrounds in science and art, and balance them with metaphysics and The Mystery. BS in Zoology, focus on Limnology, I was a stripper, platemaker, and member of the Graphic Arts Union in offset lithography. I studied color and painting with Bill Wallo at CSU. I helped manage Paseo Intaglio Printers editioning and contract printmaking for local and national artists. I was honored to be selected as 2004 Festival of the Arts juror for the Arts Council of Oklahoma City. I helped create the Artful Experience committee for the Arts Council of Oklahoma City and chaired that committee for its first two years which taught principles of printmaking to festival goers through exhibits and demonstrations. I was the guest juror for the 2009 Paseo Festival of the Arts, and in 2019 for the Goddard Center 47th Annual Competition. I was the Allied Artist representing OVAC (Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition), exhibited in the State Capitol of Oklahoma’s East Gallery in 2008, had a painting chosen for the Oklahoma State Art Collection at the State Capitol. Community workshops and classes include: class monitor for RV Goetz painting workshop, assistant to Quartz Mountain class of Douglas Kirkland, resin workshop with Janet O’Neal, à la prima figure painting classes - Leslie Lienau, figure drawing and Henry Hensche color classes - Chris Brizzard. I was staff and faculty of the University of Central Oklahoma and was instrumental in the founding of the Presentation Production Center, taught principles of interactivity and was production supervisor for the Multimedia Technology Laboratory. My interactive clients have included: Robert A. Hefner III’s (along with his wife MeiLi Hefner) GHK Companies family entities & interests: Ramiiisol Vineyards, Hefner Collection, Hefner Foundation, The Grand Energy Transition, State of Oklahoma Governor’s Office, OVAC, Allied Artists, Oklahoma League for the Blind, Raxco, Enron, AOL, Conoco, Republican National Committee, Dallas Mavericks, Delta Dental of Oklahoma.

ARTIST INSIGHTS

How are your background and life experiences connected to your art?

Anything we learn changes everything we know. I was friends with a nationally well-known family of painters in the 70s – RV Goetz and his wife Edith and along with 4 of their 6 kids who are painters, and that connection was my first encounter and led me to pursue art. I have been a caver since 1971 (exploring, surveying, photographing and creating artwork of caves). I then did graduate work in Zoology, and both caves and my reverence of nature organically continue to texture my work. I attended Theosophical classes in the 70s and that metaphysical background also helped formulate my direction in life & art, which encouraged me to pursue a career in the arts.

Who are some of your biggest artistic influences?

Less influence on my imagery and direction, but more admiration for their words and works – a few are: Enrique Martinez Celaya, Vincent Desiderio, Ed Ruscha, Attila Richard Lukacs, Zoey Frank, Neo Rausch to only name a few.

How have you developed your artist career?

I have been in group exhibits since the 70s showing in fundraisers, exhibitions and galleries. I then began to pursue it more earnestly and have had many one person exhibits, have taken workshops, attended demonstration lectures, took an online marketing workshop in 2017 from Paul Klein. I helped our family owned gallery in the 80s while I was attending art classes, and continue today consulting with Susan McCalmont and helping with the gallery and inventory management.

What does your artistic work intend to communicate to its audience?

Contemplation, wonderment, duende and the observer’s sense that no one is your friend and no one is your enemy; everyone is your teacher.

Does your work comment on any current social or political issues?

In my series ‘Redacted Immigrants’ I comment on recent era politics (tongue in cheek rather than accusation), and my newest series surrounds notions of security (personal, universal) and the lack thereof.

Do you have a particular story that stands out from your career as an artist?

I have paintings selected by museums and purchased by foundations, but was honored to have one selected for the Oklahoma State Art Collection in the Oklahoma State Capitol gallery – very humbling.

Which current art world trends are you following?

I don’t consciously follow any art trends, rather I try to at least minimally study them all so I can understand how they fit in the art continuum that I am trying to define for myself as well.

Why have you chosen to sell your work in the 1515 Lincoln Gallery?

I’ve known Susan since I was a consultant on her Creative Oklahoma website in 2010. We have remained friends and began brainstorming her gallery concept in January 2019. I admire her vision, gallery concept, work ethic, honesty, organizational ability and appreciate her and her husband Ralph as friends.

What do you believe makes 1515 Lincoln Gallery distinct from other galleries?

Honesty, professionalism and treatment of artists.

WATCH

Learn more about Marc Barker and his artistic practice in an installment of 1515 Lincoln Gallery Conversations.

ARTIST STATEMENT

My education was in mathematics, computer science, limnology and art. My art is my meditation and a reprieve from the world of computers. I revere nature and question my place within it, the Mystery, prismatic sunsets and sensuous memories exploring, surveying and photographing caves. I transform these experiences into psychologically contemplative subjects including shadow figures, asterisms, cloudscapes, political mixed media and abstractions. I have no specific intention with my work; I don’t proselytize, preach nor swoon, rather I continue to pursue my own visual growth & self-inquiry in whatever medium & style reveal them best in order to share that unfolding as I learn.

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