ANTHONY J PARKÉ | PAINTER

BIO

Anthony J Parké works in the field of figurative symbolism. His work is noted for its depth of meaning and detail of execution. He took his Honours Degree in Fine Art at Kingston University, shifting his final year to Philosophy. He later completed his Masters Degree in Literature, focusing on the archetypal imagery in the poetry of Algernon Charles Swinburne.

Britain's eminent art historian and critic, Edward Lucie-Smith, once wrote of his works as “entirely convincing representations of things that we could never in fact encounter in the same form in what we are pleased to describe as real life. They are visionary art – humbler cousins of compositions such as Salvador Dali’s famous Christ of St. John of the Cross.” Prophetically, these very same sentiments by Lucie-Smith still hold today in his current works. 

Anthony's work is held in the private collection of Gabi Tolkowsky, the world’s most eminent diamond cutter, who cut the Centenary Diamond and the Golden Jubilee Diamond. His works are also held in private collections across the UK, as well as with international collectors in Russia, the US, Canada, Israel, Hong Kong, and across Europe.

CURRENT WORK

In his current series of paintings called Fragments, Anthony observes a personal history, culture and identity through a unique lens; he treats painting as a transformative act of discovery and connection, often referencing his own cultural tapestry of English, Indian, Irish and Persian heritage. 

In his latest series he unites elements of Eastern and Western traditions in a landscape that depicts a sense of  ‘otherness’. He weaves together a multitude of seemingly unrelated objects into a surreal, often disjointed world. Images like floating sewing machines, temples, teapots, and elephants, damask curtains, spinning tops and fighting kites, all appear throughout his paintings. In some sense these objects seem emblematic of the multiple cultures he has inherited, as well as the faded recollections of a distant past.

Notably, his paintings are populated with spectral figures. These ethereal vignettes of semi-absent figures drift in and out of reality and abstraction. The partial absence of these amorphous figures propels both himself, and the audience, towards populating the void.

The spiral staircase, which frequently appears throughout his paintings both past and present, seem reminiscent of Piranesian dreamscapes. There is a fascination for journey and transformation in this imagery. The spiral staircase acts as a metaphor for the indecipherable complexities of a mixed heritage, whilst simultaneously embracing the notion of the transcendent self, beyond the componentry elements of his life.

SELECTED PAST EXHIBITIONS

2022 - Ascension, Zari Gallery, London, UK

2022 - Manchester Art Fair

2022 - BHM, Zari Gallery, London, UK

2021 - Figurative Art Now, Mall Galleries,

2019 - Mall Galleries, Royal Society of Miniatures, UK

2019 - Hanbury Manor Estate, Hertfordshire, UK

2019 - Brocket Hall Estate, Welwyn Garden City, UK

2019 - The Saffron Walden Gallery,UK

2019 - Westcliffe Gallery, Norfolk, U

2018 - All Saints Church

2017 - Mall Galleries, Royal Society of Miniatures

2016 - Bell Fine Art/ Affordable Art Fair, Batterse

2016 - Catto Gallery, Stock show, London, UK                         

2016 - Bell Fine Art - Winchester, UK

2015 - Saffron Walden Gallery - Summer  Exhibition. London, UK 

2015 - Catto Gallery - Easter Exhibition London, UK 

2015 - Catto Gallery - Window of Opportunity - London, UK 

2014 - Catto Gallery - Summer Show - London, UK 

2014 - Summer Salon, IAF,  Islington, London 

2014 - Catto Gallery - Solo show - London, UK

2014 - Beaux Arts Bath, Affordable Art Fair, Battersea

2014 - Catto Gallery Mixed Show, Hampstead London UK

2014 - The Gallery, Stoke Newington, London UK

2013 - Cork Street Open exhibition - Shortlisted

2013 - Arthaus Gallery, Hertfordshire UK

2013 - The Arches Gallery, East London UK

2013 - Courtyard Arts, Hertfordshire,  UK 

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

2022 - Masters: 50 Best Figurative Artist

2022 - The Guide Artists Magazine

2022 - The Art Market Magazine

2020 - Elizabeth Barden 'Artrist's Can...' 

2018 - Islington Journal October 28th

2018 - Islington Gazette, October 25th

2018 - The Guide Artists Magazine, Featured Artist

2018 - Equilibrium Magazine, Spring Issue 63

2014 - Into the Glass: Hyperreal Paintings of Anthony J. Parké,

             Foreword: Edward Lucie-Smith

2014 - Camden New Journal, May 15, No.1661

2014 - Catto Gallery Catalogue - Solo Show 2014

2014 - Cork Street Open Catalogue, 2014

2013 - Book: East Finchley Open Arts 10th Anniversary

2013 - Equilibrium Magazine, Spring Issue 46

FILM

Interviewed by Art Historian Edward Lucie-Smith

AWARDS

Royal Society of Miniatures, Connoisseur Commendation Award, 2019

Islington Arts Society Annual Exbition Peoples Choice Award

Royal Society of Miniatures, Gold Memorial Bowl, Honourable Mention 2017

Courtyard Arts Open, Herts, Highly Commended 2017

Hertford Socierty Open Exhibition, Peoples Choice, runner up, 2016

EDUCATION

2012 - St Martins School of Art, Advanced Anatomical Drawing

1999 - Masters Degree – Eng. Lit.

1993-1997 - Honours Degree – Fine art/ Philosophy (Kingston Polytechnic/O.U)

1989-1991 - Fine Art Foundation Diploma, Waltham Forest

TALKS

2016 - Guest Speaker: Art Business Success Summit, London.

2013 - Collett School, Hemel Hempstead UK

2013 - Coleridge School, London UK