Artist Statement

The forms from nature that I have drawn from for these sculptures are taken from insect life-segmented, hard shelled bodies, robotic and armor coated, yet able to instantly take flight. The large scale of these otherwise small creatures comes from reality and fantasy of the prehistoric world.

Steel plate is my material of choice; man made and industrial in its purchased form. I enjoy the challenge of making something animated and weightless with iron. The possibilities have been endless for me in the way I have been able to transform this heavy material. Strong and durable, my sculptures withstand the test of time and I’ve had great success on public sites.

Outdoor sculptures have to function in a comprehensive way as a drive by experience, as strong and dynamic silhouettes. With further exploration for the passer-by or neighborhood resident, a deeper appreciation and enjoyment can be explored walking around, under and through the pieces.

Art is not an instant snapshot. It is meant to be lived with and experienced. The importance of outdoor sculpture is that one does not have to go to a museum to experience it.

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Artist Biography

John Parker received his BFA from The Cleveland Institute of Art and MFA from The Rinehart School of Sculpture at The Maryland Institute, College of Art. He taught welding at the Skill Center in Grand Rapids and sculpture for four summers at Interlochen Center for the Arts. Parker moved to the Philadelphia area in 1980, where he was the Iron Foreman for Old City Construction Co. Three years later he was a creator and Vice President of Voltri Ironworks where he fabricated and installed structural and miscellaneous steel. In 1989 he created and became President of The Painted Garden, Inc. where he designs, fabricates and installs iron garden structures, including trellises, pergolas and gates. Parker has been creating outdoor sculpture since 1975, and shown his work in exhibitions all through the Eastern and Midwest states.He is in collections that include Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park, IL, Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, Hamilton, OH and Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis, MD.

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Education

The Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland, OH
BFA

The Rinehart School of Sculpture at The Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MD
MFA

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Professional Experience

The Painted Garden, Inc.
Creator and President

Voltri Ironworks, Philadelphia, PA
Creator and Vice President

Old City Construction Co., Philadelphia, PA
Iron Foreman

Skill Center, Grand Rapids, MI
Welding Instructor

Interlochen Center for the Arts, Interlochen, MI
Sculpture Instructor

Exhibitions

2020
Danville Art Trail, Danville, VA

Art SS in the Open-City Springs Art Walk, City Green, Sandy Springs, GA

Sculpture in the Glen II, InLiquid at The Glen, Gladwyne, PA

2019
Gateways To Nature, Tyler Arboretum, Media, PA

SPACES Sculpture Trail, Huntsville, AL

Arts Downtown Sculpture Exhibition, Frankford, KY

2018
Salisbury Sculpture Show, Salisbury, NC

Time in the Garden, The Morris Arboretum, Philadelphia, PA

Public Art Project 2018-2019, Fredericksburg, VA

2017
2017-2018 Yokna Sculpture Trail, Oxford, MS

2017 Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, Indiana University East, Richmond, IN

2016
100 Sculptors, 100 Sculptures, Ella Sharp Museum, Jackson, MI

2015
Art in Public Places, Knoxville, TN

Williamsburg's Arts District Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, Williamsburg, VA

2014
Art in Public Places, Knoxville, TN

2013
8th Annual National Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition, N. Charleston, SC

2012
ARTsites 2012, Howard County, MD
Corporate Office Properties Trust, Howard County General Hospital, George Howard Building

2010
Wind Through the Trees, Jenkins Arboretum and Gardens, Devon, PA

2008
3rd Annual National Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition, N. Charleston, SC

2007
2nd Annual National Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition, N. Charleston, SC