About Shabazz Larkin
Shabazz Larkin is an artist and activist interested in creating images of black culture and contemporary spirituality. Shabazz is a multi-disciplinary artist, painting vibrant portraiture on canvas, typographic printing techniques and film. His practice of vandalizing photographs, overwhelming use of color and bold typography, at times feel like visual concepts better suited for the editorial section of Rolling Stone.
This technique only veils Larkin’s true intention to explore societal issues of race, justice and religion. Shabazz is most known for his “Black Magic” collection, a series of portraits that capture the beauty of resilience in black culture. Larkin’s newest work is a reckless abandon into pop-art — he’s begun writing notes from God and placing them around Nashville, TN.
As a former creative director in the advertising industry, Larkin has worked with the world’s largest brands, from Pepsi to Sean Combs, winning multiple Cannes Lions, Clios and One show pencils over the course of his career. He is also a children’s book author and illustrator. His latest book, "The Thing About Bees," has won various acknowledgments, awards and honors and is looking to write his next.
He is also a student of mindfulness and the head of content for a wellness app called, True Voice. An app made to provide guided meditations and wellness content to specifically meet the needs of women of color and all in her orbit.
Follow us on Instagram: @shabazzlarkin | Email: shabazz@larkinart.co
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Curriculum Vitae
Experience
Head of Content / Creative / Production
True Voice App (Quantsy & Associates), 2020–2025
True Voice App (Quantsy & Associates), 2020–2025
Creative Director, 2013–Present
Client list: Sony, EyeBuyDirect, Matter Unlimited, World Vision, Merck for Mothers, Google, YouTube, Lonely Leap, The White House, My Brother’s Keeper, Ford Motor Company, DeLeón, Sean Combs, Bad Boy, Revolt TV, Cîroc, Nokia
Client list: Sony, EyeBuyDirect, Matter Unlimited, World Vision, Merck for Mothers, Google, YouTube, Lonely Leap, The White House, My Brother’s Keeper, Ford Motor Company, DeLeón, Sean Combs, Bad Boy, Revolt TV, Cîroc, Nokia
Confidant Agency, Nashville, TN, 2018–2020
Matter Unlimited, Creative Director, 2016
Blue Flame, Executive Creative Director, 2015
J. Walter Thompson, New York, Sr. Art Director / ACD, 2010–2013
Creature Seattle, Seattle, Art Director, 2008–2010
Wieden + Kennedy, Portland, Art Director, 2008
Mother London, London, UK, Creative Intern, 2007
CRT/Tanaka, Richmond, Designer & Video Editor, 2004–2006
Clients serviced through the agencies above:
Nike, Macy’s, Smirnoff, Nuun, Bayer, Pepsi, Diageo, Pacifico, Seattle’s Best Coffee, Bing, Microsoft, Hotmail, Heineken, UK Anti-Drug Commission, Rolex, Bill Gates
Nike, Macy’s, Smirnoff, Nuun, Bayer, Pepsi, Diageo, Pacifico, Seattle’s Best Coffee, Bing, Microsoft, Hotmail, Heineken, UK Anti-Drug Commission, Rolex, Bill Gates
Selected Exhibitions, Installations & Residencies
2025 — Julia Martin Gallery, Nashville, TN
This Is What It Is Right Now
This Is What It Is Right Now
2025 — Frist Art Museum, Nashville, TN
Fabric of America
Fabric of America
2025 — Zeitgeist Gallery, Nashville, TN
To Gather: Together
To Gather: Together
2025 — Rockwall Gallery, Nashville, TN
Bloomville
Bloomville
2025 — The Forge Gallery, Nashville, TN
Demons & Flowers (Solo Exhibition)
Demons & Flowers (Solo Exhibition)
2025 — Banker’s Alley Hotel, Nashville, TN
Selected Works
Selected Works
2024 — Soho House, Nashville, TN
Porsche Food Festival
Porsche Food Festival
2024 — Zeitgeist Gallery, Nashville, TN
This Place Between Us
This Place Between Us
2024 — Zeitgeist Gallery, Nashville, TN
Vessels (Group Exhibition)
Vessels (Group Exhibition)
2024 — Wonderful People Farm, Nashville, TN
Bronze Sculpture Installation
Bronze Sculpture Installation
2024 — Frist Art Museum, Nashville, TN
Monuments & Myths
Monuments & Myths
2024 — The Forge (STATE Residency), Nashville, TN
Artist Residency
Artist Residency
2022 — 1010 Church Street, Nashville, TN
Music City Pillars
– Monument honoring the Fisk Jubilee Singers
– Monument honoring Little Richard
Music City Pillars
– Monument honoring the Fisk Jubilee Singers
– Monument honoring Little Richard
2021 — NKA Gallery, Nashville, TN
Rest in Peace While You Are Alive
Rest in Peace While You Are Alive
2021 — The Amazon Spheres, Seattle, WA
Artist-in-Residence
Artist-in-Residence
2020 — Scalehouse Gallery, Bend, OR
Fragile Black Man
Fragile Black Man
2019 — Sony DMPC, Los Angeles, CA
Storyteller’s Creative Installation
Storyteller’s Creative Installation
2018 — Vanguard Art Show, Nashville, TN
God Speaks Project
God Speaks Project
Selected Books, Publications & Film
2023 — Museum of Presence
Community-based newspaper and podcast
Community-based newspaper and podcast
2022 — The Oracle: A Series of Notes from God (Illustrated Book)
2021 — I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
50th Anniversary Illustrated Re-edition
50th Anniversary Illustrated Re-edition
2019 — The Thing About Bees: A Love Letter to My Sons (Children’s Book)
2016 — My Brother’s Keeper
Film for The Obama Foundation
Film for The Obama Foundation
2015 — Push: A Film About Motherhood
Launched on International Women’s Day
Launched on International Women’s Day
2014 — A Moose Boosh: A Few Choice Words About Food (Children’s Book)
2013 — Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table (Children’s Book)
Awards
2018 — Cannes Lion, Health
Reverse, Merck for Mothers
Reverse, Merck for Mothers
2017 — Clio Award, Health
Push: A Film About Mothers, Merck for Mothers
Push: A Film About Mothers, Merck for Mothers
2017 — Cannes Lion, Bronze, Health
Push: A Film About Mothers, Merck for Mothers
Push: A Film About Mothers, Merck for Mothers
2017 — Cannes Lion, Bronze, Health
Push: A Film About Mothers, Merck for Mothers
Push: A Film About Mothers, Merck for Mothers
2016 — Salisbury Sonya Sadler Award
Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table
Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table
2015 — Sustainable Literature Award
Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table
Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table
2011 — World’s Funniest Commercials, Gold
Sierra Mist: Liquid Sunshine
Sierra Mist: Liquid Sunshine
2010 — One Show Pencil, Silver, Package Design
Nuun: Rebrand
Nuun: Rebrand