Lawrence “L A W” Parker III (IG @supremestreet) is an artist, entrepreneur, storyteller and music producer. He’s a New-Orleans uptown native who has a deep respect and profound reverence for the city that carries his lineage and the people who have been instrumental in shaping him into the man he is today.
Created in the height of the pandemic, Freeman Revival (https://www.instagram.com/freemanrevival) is an exploration of humanity, community, and faith. L A W began creating Freeman Revival in his Brooklyn basement and completed the series after his family physically relocated back to their southern roots. Using photos of his childhood, L A W captured the beauty and essence of New Orleans, LA. His inspiration stems from his grandfather Reverend Dr. Willie Freeman Sr. who was “a man of purpose exhibiting power of the pulpit.” Encapsulating the text of his grandfather’s sermons into the very canvas and fabric of his paintings, L A W pays homage to his grandfather’s teachings to his community. Not only did L A W incorporate the text from his grandfather’s sermon into the canvas, but also, he incorporated the very paint he and his grandfather used to paint the church walls. Unfortunately, Reverend Freeman’s church was destroyed in Hurricane Katrina. One of the greatest lessons L A W learned from his grandfather was that everyone is golden and has added value in this world. As a result, every person captured in L A W’s work is trimmed with gold trim.
In a riveting fireside chat during opening weekend, an audience member asked L A W at what moment did he know the Freeman Revival series was complete. L A W shared his late grandmother Rosie’s street address. When he was recently at her home after her spiritual transition, he held a rose in the air at eye level in front of her home. Upon doing so, the rose partially covered the street number of the address and left the number “13” visible. This was the sign for L A W to finish the series at 13 pieces.
Through the Freeman Revival and L A W’s artistic approach, three jewels are presented:
- Oftentimes, we are searching for completion in a project or assignment we feel the universe has destined for us to embark upon. Paying attention to the signs and silent whispers from above and beyond can lead you to the answers in fulfilling your purpose with any given assignment.
- In a world that may not see us as golden, we have the power of the pen, or stroke of the brush, to write, paint, color and frame how you see yourself and one another.
- Sometimes a relocation or transitions (physically or spiritually), even if unexpected and unsettling, can bring us back to our roots and allow us to present some of the most indelible creations having the power to evoke emotion and change lives.
To capstone the opening weekend, L A W and his wife Dr. Jessica Clemons Parker (www.askdrjess.com), alongside their two beautiful children and two loving mothers, celebrated their 5 year wedding anniversary at their annual “The Juke Joint” party which is an ode to their lineage and ancestors who have paved the way for their existence and purpose.
So, maybe there are four Jewels…how will you pay homage to your lineage and ancestors?
Please visit the Black Wall Street Gallery (www.bwsgallery.com), curated by Dr. Ricco Wright, before November 5th in New York City to experience the beauty of L A W’s thirteen piece collection. As L A W mentions, “These paintings represent all of me. I, therefore, deliver to you the art that is in me. Laissez les bon temps rouler.”
About the Author:
Julie M. Wenah aka “Jewels” is a filmmaker, hip hop storyteller, tech executive, and lawyer from Houston, Texas by way of Nigeria. She is the creator and founder of the Album and the Mixtape, a community centered around storytelling and healing through bars. Julie loves Jesus, nachos, and her momma’s cooking – plantains primarily.
