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
Tell us how we can help:
Let's get to work. Follow us on instagram - www.instagram.com/shabazzlarkin
Experience
Head of Content
True Voice App (Quantsy & Associates) 2020 - Present
True Voice App (Quantsy & Associates) 2020 - Present
-
Creative Director 2013 - 2020
Client list: Sony, Eye buy direct, Matter Unlimited, World Vision, Merck for Mothers, Google, YouTube, Lonely Leap, The White House, My Brother's Keeper, Ford Motor, Deleon, Sean Combs, Bad Boy, Revolt TV, Ciroc, Nokia
Creative Director 2013 - 2020
Client list: Sony, Eye buy direct, Matter Unlimited, World Vision, Merck for Mothers, Google, YouTube, Lonely Leap, The White House, My Brother's Keeper, Ford Motor, Deleon, Sean Combs, Bad Boy, Revolt TV, Ciroc, Nokia
Confidant Agency, Nashville TN 2018-2020
Matter Unlimited, Permalance Creative Director, 2016
BabdBoy Entertainment / Blue Flame, Permalance Executive Creative Director, 2015
Matter Unlimited, Permalance Creative Director, 2016
BabdBoy Entertainment / Blue Flame, Permalance Executive Creative Director, 2015
Jay Walter Thompson - New York, Sr. Art Director / ACD, 2010 - 2013
Creature Seattle - Seattle, Art Director, 2008 - 2010
Weiden + Kennedy - Portland, Art Director, 2008
Mother London - London, UK Creative Intern, 2007
CRT/Tanaka - Richmond, Designer & Video Editor, 2004 - 2006
Clients serviced through full-time agencies above: Nike, Macy’s, Smirnoff, Nuun, Bayer, Pepsi, Diageo, Paci co, Seattle’s Best Coffee, Bing, Microsoft, Hotmail, Heineken, UK Anti-Drug Commission, Rolex, Bill Gates
Publication
Children’s Book Illustrator and Author 2013 - Present
The Thing About Bees 2019
A Moose Boosh: A few choice words about food
Farmer Will Allen and The Growing Table
A Moose Boosh: A few choice words about food
Farmer Will Allen and The Growing Table
Film
Jump Film & Jump X -
Visual Experience for Suicide and Mental Health Awareness,
Director and Producer - 2013
Visual Experience for Suicide and Mental Health Awareness,
Director and Producer - 2013
Exhibition
Rest In Peace While You Are Alive - NKA Gallery, Nashville TN
Fragile Black Man - Scale-house Gallery, Bend Oregon
NAMASTE - Vanguard Nashville
The Sankofa Tree - Monument for the United Nations HQ,
For the victims of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade
Sculpture Artist - New York, NY - 2012
This Is Not An Invitation to Rape Me
Creative Director - UPENN, Philadelphia, PA - 2009
BeautyFro Collection - Art Exhibition & Gallery
Empire Nights & Seattle Art Walk - Seattle, WA - 2009
For the victims of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade
Sculpture Artist - New York, NY - 2012
This Is Not An Invitation to Rape Me
Creative Director - UPENN, Philadelphia, PA - 2009
BeautyFro Collection - Art Exhibition & Gallery
Empire Nights & Seattle Art Walk - Seattle, WA - 2009
Education
VCU Adcenter / Brandcenter, Richmond, VA
Masters in Advertising - Art Direction, 2008
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Bachelor's in Mass Communications, 2005
Masters in Advertising - Art Direction, 2008
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Bachelor's in Mass Communications, 2005
Awards
2018 Cannes Lion - Health
Reverse: Merk For Mothers
Reverse: Merk For Mothers
2017 Clio - 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 & the Growing Table
Farmer Will Allen & 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