Chicago’s Nevermore Park: An Art Park Of Dreams
Artist statement from Chicago’s Hebru Brantley, the visionary designer behind the Flyboy Universe
In October, the first of its kind exhibition will launch to showcase the world of Nevermore, a stylistic take that transforms the idea of art into what can be tactile, immersive, and accessible to all people. The brainchild of prolific artist Hebru Brantley, Nevermore is created to, quite simply, inspire by telling an empowering story of black youth. Exploring and celebrating the movement of inspiration, Nevermore breaks racial and generational boundaries and provides a space that brilliantly addresses the complex ideas around nostalgia, power and hope. Through the lens of Brantley, and the partnership with his media company, Angry Hero and MWM Universe — the alliance is creating an experience that takes art to new heights.
When people walk into Nevermore Park, I want them to feel as if they’ve fallen head first into one of my paintings. They are leaving the world they knew behind, and entering a space that reimagines. It’s real and visceral for me and in a few days, it will be for other people as well.
Nevermore is the home of Flyboy and Lil Mama. If you know anything about my work, you have an idea of what these two look like. But even without any context, the bright, yellow goggles make them easy to spot. But who are they? They are anyone who stops long enough to let their mind roam free. They are the embodiment of dreams and imagination. They are the lingering feeling of being a child and believing in your limitless potential. We get that beaten out of us as we get older and I wanted to go back and capture that sentiment. This is the opportunity to reclaim that sense of wonder, instill it in our children and pass it down to the next generation.
Yesterday’s losers are today’s CEOs. As a tall, black kid from Chicago I wasn’t expected to be into the things I was. I wasn’t allowed to dream or have an imagination beyond what people expected of me as a result of appearance. I masked myself in order to not be labeled weird. It was taboo to be into art.
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The place I’m building is where you have the freedom and space to dream. Drop your guard. Don’t be afraid to like things that others might label as nerdy, weird or strange. Life is too short to be consumed by what other people may think of you. The best part? It’s a place for people of all ages.
The world moves because of creators. Imagine what our surroundings could look like if we encouraged young people to embrace their creativity, instead of trying to redirect them to jobs we deem “safe” but squash the flicker of belief in the impossible.
I found my tribe as an adult. I don’t want others to have to wait as long. This is my way of saying it’s ok to be uninhibited and explore unexpected talent. And if this evolves through the years, that’s ok too.
Everyone wants to be so damn cool. This creates anxiety and stress. When you walk into Nevermore Park, you accept the invitation to let that mindset go. The time has come to just have fun and enjoy ourselves.
And as for the name. It came to me many years ago. I’m not trying to overthink it. — Hebru Brantley
Tickets go on sale for Nevermore Park in Chicago to the general public at 10am Central Time on Oct. 17th. The park opens on Oct. 24th, 2019.
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