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Artist Statement

From an early age, I’ve been drawn to storytelling in all its forms—whether through the written word, historical research, or digital strategy. My work reflects an intersection of personal history, cultural context, and the evolving landscape of technology. I believe stories shape how we understand the past, interpret the present, and plan for the future.

My creative journey is deeply influenced by my family’s history. My father escaped the Jim Crow South, specifically South Carolina, where he grew up on a tobacco and cotton sharecropper field and attended segregated schools. He sought a better life by joining the Air Force, where he served with the Strategic Air Command’s 17th Bombardment Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. He passed away in 1991, the same year Aeon Flux first premiered, and the Soviet Union fell.

In 1995, Mizuho Nishikubo and Mamoru Oshii’s masterpiece Ghost in the Shell conquered America. This film profoundly impacted my creative sensibilities. That same year, a girl at a party dared me to explore the abandoned Northampton State Hospital. This challenge sparked my long-standing fascination with its history. This project has since become central to my work as a historian.

In my 20s, I deepened my interest in history, particularly the hidden narratives of people and places often overlooked by mainstream discourse. My research on Northampton State Hospital is the backbone of my writing on this subject.

In my 30s, I explored digital media to communicate complex ideas and build communities. As a web strategist at UMass, I crafted personas, analyzed user journeys, and created content strategies. During this time, I also founded Valley Society, a black writing group that became a place for collaboration and growth.

In 2019, I turned 40—the same age my father was when he died. That year, I was invited to try Jiu-Jitsu, and it quickly became an influential center in my life. It has taught me resilience, discipline, and the importance of movement and connection.

My personal writing has also taken on new dimensions. My memoir in progress, Minotaur, explores my life through the lens of myth and metaphor, confronting themes of identity, memory, and power. My research into historical figures, such as Pliny Earle, continues to inform my writing and worldview.

Today, my work continues to evolve. At the intersection of history and narrative, I capture stories that resonate on both personal and collective levels. Whether writing about historical figures, developing content strategies, or advancing my Jiu-Jitsu practice, I strive to create work that invites reflection, challenges assumptions, and fosters a deeper understanding of our shared experiences.

My cat, Oliver, a Maine Coon mix, remains a constant presence in my life. His popularity wherever he goes is a testament to his unique charm, and he continues to inspire me daily.

My website, christopherjsparks.com, is a home for my creative projects, a space where I merge my love for history, writing, and exploring.

On Field Notes…

Acknowledgements

• R. Jackson, Blackberry Delight. Running Wild & RIZE, 2025.
• J. Gray and M. Gerrity, Abandoned Asylums of New England. 2004.

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