Carling Jackson of Vancouver, Canada is a human rights artist and professional, award-winning athlete portrait artist who primarily focuses on using contemporary art to effect change and make the world a better place. Starting her career as a human rights artist at the Street Child World Cup in Rio 2014; Carling has since worked with the United Nations, Syrian refugees, Indigenous women in Canada, Save the Children, the NAACP, War Child, the LGBTQIA2S community. etc. She has also worked with companies like the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas, Pepsi, etc. Through using her passion for soccer to propel her career, Jackson has created custom artwork for athletes in the NBA, MLS, MLB, NFL, WNBA, and European Leagues (EPL, EFL, Bundesliga).
As an athlete artist who’s painted commissioned artwork for over 140 athletes from 18 countries globally, Carling’s dedication to creating custom pieces which encapsulate athletes’ visions make her both unique and universally recognized around the world. In addition to creating live art at NBA All-Star Weekend to having her work featured at NFL/NBA athlete foundation events and more, she has been commissioned to create custom pieces for Iman Shumpert, Marshall Faulk, Adam Jones, Emile Smith Rowe, Jamie Foxx, Joe Willock, Adrian Peterson, Nicolas Pepe, Sheyi Ojo, Jalen Ramsey and Matt Barnes, to name a few.
The second aspect of her work involves human rights artwork "Humanity art."
Her philosophy revolves around the notion of “art for social change.” We are encouraged to speed up, to consume, to reproduce. Art for social change forces us to stop, to reflect, and hopefully – to change. Using the power of the arts to transcend all differences Carling works with oppressed and marginalized communities to raise awareness about issues that are important to them. The most essential aspect of art for social change is that the end product is an ever-evolving idea that constantly adapts and changes depending on the input from all contributors. “I try to remove myself completely and take on the emotion of whoever I am painting almost acting as a medium of change. I want people to feel the emotion, the pain and the beauty when they look at my art. I want to use art to change the world.”
She plans to continue painting the change she wishes to see in the world.. a major part involving painting the narrative of athletes
