“They say the Mississippi River flows south, but the spirit of New Orleans flows north and influences the rest of the world. “
“This can be seen around the country through art, music, food, and our adaption to climate change, among other things. As New Orleans goes, so does America. I see my artwork as a beacon to the rest of the county which shines a light on the culture we are all influenced by, and the dire climate future we will all soon be faced with.
Being born in New Orleans has put me at the epicenter of cultural and environmental influence which has shaped my life as a visual artist, poet, and urban planner. My mission has always been to find the epicenter of my work as an urban planner and a visual artist, and use my artwork to narrate my journey as a Black native growing up in southern Louisiana. My art focuses on depicting Black people in all of our glory, and illustrating the important history of New Orleans so that stories that have subverted the history books can be passed down in an illuminating way.
My goal is for my work to document a history that refuses to be forgotten, while also imagining an alternative future devoid of social inequities. Finding new ways to make my art more immersive through public artwork, animation, and large scale installations continue to challenge my innovation and reward my audacity. “
Nik Richard is an urban planner and visual artist from New Orleans, LA, who uses his practice to illustrate the colorful life and history of the people and environment of southern Louisiana, while calling attention to social and environmental issues. Nik primarily works in pen and ink illustrations, as well as acrylic on canvas; and is most recognized for his colorful and striking portraits, and public artwork around the city.
Nik’s most recent public art pieces include a collaboration with Adult Swim on a mural on the side of the YAYA Arts Center in Central City, and an Arts New Orleans mural on the side of the VOTE headquarters in the neighborhood of Hollygrove. In 2022 Nik collaborated with Red Bull and the NBA to paint custom backboards that were displayed in the Smoothie King Arena through the 2022-2023 New Orleans Pelicans basketball season.
In 2023 the New Orleans Zydeco Festival partnered with Nik to design their inaugural festival poster. In addition to that, his current work features him collaborating with legendary Cash Money rapper Juvenile to illustrate the product label for his popular Juvie Juice beverage, and the bag design for his newly released snack 400 Hot Degreez Chee Wees.
Nik is a recent Joan Mitchell Center artist in residence, the recipient of New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund’s 2023 Designer of the Year, and currently teaches advanced illustration at Loyola University.