Park and Ride was intentionally made to capture the essence of chaos and beauty through decay. The attraction of materialism and thrill that has millions standing in line without the ability to foresee the future. With bright flashes and cracks of steel, the smell of grease, and acceleration. The composition of this piece resembles a post-apocalyptic amusement park, what was once fully operated and well lit, now remains in heaps of metal, wire, and dust. Industrial machines are orphans, now lost in the pollution of our own grandiosity. Like most ‘things’ we possess as humans, eventually break, and are discarded or left to rust from the foundation up, truly putting a wrench in the spoke of steampunk’s gears. Abandoning the American dream, and moving on to the next adaptation culture and technology can muster. Our perception of the great inventor is now an ecosystem of its own. We all live in pollution recycling the past.
I have always found beauty in recycling found material in my work, the values of texture and shape are strong and original. To give purposeful, yet broken inanimate objects feelings of their own
Additional information
Dimensions
30 × 22 in
Artist Name: Nick Paradis
Medium: Mixed Media on Wood
Artist Statement:
Nick Paradis (b. 1987, Providence RI) is a New England based artist specializing in murals, creating custom commission art, engaged with exhibitions and gallery events.
Graduating from New England College in 2009 with a double bachelor’s degree in art and creative writing, he has worked in the printing industry for over a decade. Currently managing production for a local print shop in Concord and teaching art at Lakes Region Community College in Laconia, NH.
He is active in the community with his art, murals and printing-flourishing with artistic endeavors and projects throughout the year. For over two decades Nick has exhibited his work throughout New England, reaching the west coast and back. His personal sales have found their new home all over the country and in certain areas of Europe. He lives in Concord with his partner and enjoys the outdoors, reading, writing poetry, playing music, and cooking.
