Gallery A

BLOCK

by James Parker

 

James is a printmaking sculptor who has worked extensively in schools as an artist in residence. He was recently part of the winning team who received an international award in the UK for the Carclew Youth Arts Big Journal – Big Draw project in 2010 at Murray Bridge and received the Education and Arts Minister’s award for practicing artist in 2011.

As well as creating his unique hand painted assemblage artworks, James has worked in the film industry in all aspects of art departments including creating sets, props, animation model making and art directing, and working on productions such as McLeod’s Daughters and the Fairies TV show.

The BLOCK exhibitions explores childhood memories and games; working with building blocks, creating cat’s cradles with his Grandparents, playing pick up sticks, meccano and making collections (of anything) and creating art.

The blocks are built into the artworks and represent the accumulation of memories and thoughts that we carry along with us. But they also give us the chance to pull the memories and thoughts apart.

To create these works, James has taken inspiration from Joseph Cornell (1903 – 1972) an American assemblage artist who actively exhibited works displaying a ‘childlike wonder’ and with a child’s sense of fun. Cornwall began his career by making dioramas and toys for his brother Robert who suffered from Cerebral Palsy. Cornwall’s final exhibition was held in New York at the Cooper Union School of Art and it was for children only – the show was hung at 3 foot high where cherry cola and brownies were served.

“I often work with Children as an Artist in residence in schools and it was my intent to put the influences that these children have had on me back into the work.” James Parker 2012.

The Exhibition is on show until 30 April 2012

Media Enquiries & Photo Opportunities to:

Brenda Champion | Communications and PR Manager, WCH Foundation Ph. 8464-7954 or 0478 314 531