John Parker
We love...
John perfects the simple form. He adds interesting glazes that have a chemical reaction, such as the new volcanic series, or strong colours that are striking and alluring. Simplicity is his friend, often enhanced by meticulously created lines and grooves. We love John's creativity, his artistic perfectionism and his multi-talented approach to design, which can be seen in his theatre work also. ARTFORM.
Currently in the gallery…
Feature
John Parker was born in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1947. After some years studying in New Zealand and London, Parker graduated with a Master of Fine Arts, Royal College of Art, London, in 1975. He returned to Auckland in 1977 where he continues to live and work.
Parker has been exhibiting ceramics since 1967. He frequently has three solo exhibitions in New Zealand annually, while also participating in international group shows in the UK, Italy, USA and Australia. His work is held in major public and private collections including the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. The National Business Review recently listed Parker as one of the names to consider when investing in applied art.
Of John, Elizabeth Caldwell writes: “John Parker is an artist of formidable skill, a master designer of exquisite objects of great beauty and as such, he occupies a singular place of distinction in the world of craft/object art. From the outset, his extraordinary commitment to modern expressionism marked him out as the maverick that he is, his stance seeming like heresy as it flew in the face of New Zealander's then adherence to the more accepted anglo-oriental principles of that time. His continued dedication to the exploration of the possibilities of pure form (form as a means of engaging with function), is a position that has seen him both lead and influence developments in NZ ceramics throughout his career. His work is the very best of contemporary informed by classicism, presenting an elegant refinement of geometric form, combining precise technique with intellectual discipline and reinforced with a play on the treatment of surface.”