Shown above is tiled limestone, Alexander's medium of choice (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)
Paris Alexander is perhaps one of the greatest sculptors of North Carolina. Having moved from his hometown in New York to start his own work in North Carolina, Alexander set standards for his work and has almost immediately begun to turn heads within the area. One of his more recent pieces, "Jacob's Ladder," is now a center piece at the Duke University School of Law, where it was proudly placed Robert and Joan Beber Sculpture Garden for students to see and learn from. This particular piece is made of limestone, on which he easily mastered the ability to emphasize fine features of depth and curvature. The sculpture stands twelve feet tall.
Alexander's work is recognized on a much bigger scale as well, as some of his work is featured in the Saks Fifth Avenue collection, the R.C. Kessler Collection, SAS Institute, and many other museums and universities across the state. Having drawn so much attention to his talent so fast, Alexander is easily an inspiration for young people, especially the students at Duke University. Because education of the arts is strongly emphasized at Duke, it is essential that the students have some form of exposure to real talent on their level, which is the perfect fit for Alexander's work.
Not only is Alexander an inspiration to young people, but also to his peers. People who work with him smile upon his talent with the materials he uses and the ease with which it comes to him. "Paris uses the human form as his subject, frequently in carved stone, but also in clay and hard plaster" says Dr. Lawrence J. Wheeler, the director of the North Carolina Museum of Art, "He expresses himself equally well in all these materials. In fact these varied elements contribute to the power of his art."
Alexander is currently involved with several fine art outreach programs, which include the North Carolina Museum of Art Outreach Program, the Artspace Outreach Program, and several North Carolina Arts councils. Like many fine arts artists in Raleigh, Alexander wishes to inspire other people to have the determination he has been able to maintain throughout his career as an artist, so that they may have joy in what they do.
To learn more about Paris Alexander and his different works of art, visit his personal website at www.parisalexander.org
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