Larger than Life: Darien Birks Draws Attention to What Matters

There is an attractive shine to Darien Birks' illustrations…often literally. His works sport a sheen-like glow—from the luminous skin of a basketball player mid hoop-shot, to the paparazzi sparkles on a pair of designer sunglasses, and the plasticky polish on an oversized puffer jacket. Alongside this glimmer, the energy of his bright colours, clean block backgrounds, and exaggerated elements create what Darien calls the “hyper-real”. This is his way of guiding the viewer’s attention to the important things. “I want to add dimension to the things we see every day but keep the focus on the subject,” he considers. “When we take away the clutter, we look at things with a heightened awareness.”

Graduating in 2005 from Savannah College of Art and Design, Darien worked for seven years as an art director at Nike, before going freelance in early 2020. Now, even with two years of freelance work under his belt, the athletic figures have remained an important part of Darien’s artistic repertoire. “Sport will always be a major theme in my work,” he tells Wrap. “I’m an athlete and a fan, and I love to convey that enthusiasm through my art.”

But being a fan comes with responsibilities—how to convey in a drawing the unique experience of watching a sport you love, a game that absorbs your whole attention and makes you feel like part of the team. Darien’s hyper-real aesthetic is the perfect vehicle for this, creating a perception of animation and excitement through his exaggerated forms; straining muscles, magnified details, facial expressions that reveal the sports lover’s intensity of emotion. “I try to communicate this through vibrant colour, movement, and a subtle surreal nature. The viewer should see how the athlete feels,” Darien says. “You don’t have to be an athlete yourself to love sport, and I want that to come through.”

Also apparent from his work is Darien’s love of fashion. His figures appear in branded hoodies and puffer jackets, flawless sneakers and the perfect pair of shades. Just as his portrayal of sport aims to create an immersive experience for everyone including the non-athlete, at the root of his sartorial concern is a desire to bring fashion closer to those who love it from afar. “As a child, I would sketch items I couldn’t afford,” he explains. “I figured that if I couldn’t own them, I could draw them and possess them in a way. Now, when I illustrate these products, I’m showing appreciation for the design, but I’m also bringing the items into the reach of those who have a genuine interest in them.”

Since going freelance, Darien is particularly proud to have worked on the Apple TV project ‘Step into Power’, which sought to highlight stories centred around people’s experiences of racial injustice in the US. Darien created digital portraits to illustrate shows which focus on the hopes and dreams of young Black people. “This was in 2020, during the nation’s unrest surrounding the murder of George Floyd, so having the chance to communicate something positive at such a tough time really meant a lot to me,” Darien remembers. It is this opportunity to work on projects that highlight and emphasise the important things that inspires Darien. “I know I can’t change the world, but if I can reach a few people by creating art with a message, I can live with that. I’m excited to continue on this journey and do so much more.”

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darienbirks.com / @darienbirks