Brisbane based artist and musician, Gabe Parker, works primarily in steel and draws a connection between the rawness and physicality of the medium and natural world. Living close to the ocean and wetlands, Parker is inspired by the natural surroundings of Moreton Bay and shares his perspective on our fragile environment and our place within it.
As a practicing artist for over 20 years, he draws on a range of creative fields including photography, music and audio field recordings while travelling in India, Cambodia and Laos. Although Parker’s large steel works often loom over the viewer, their presence is delicate and kinetic. The viewer is invited to engage with the work in a way that is intimate and draws attention to movement, sound and the site the work sits within, and ultimately transforms.
Parker’s personal and creative process is multi-staged. His workflow incorporates the way the pieces interact with the environment. The effects of the weather, the natural patina of metals, the aural and kinetic effect of the wind, the shifting shadows cast by the sun and the collaboration between the work and land become central to the work itself. From this vantage point, the audience is able to explore interpretations of form and interact with the work as a soundscape.
Through a process of cutting and welding, the juxtaposition of line and the balance of weight, the works represent the intimate physical interaction between the artist and the medium. Parker considers this the most important aspect of the process—it pays homage to the material, the traditions of the craft and the work of artists including Alexander Calder, David Smith, James Rogers and Anthony Caro.
Parker is an active member of the music and arts community. He mentors and provides technical assistance at the Brisbane Institute of Art and collaborates and exhibits in group shows and events.
2021 SWELL ARTWORK – Thrust, Gabe Parker
Brisbane based artist and musician, Gabe Parker, works primarily in steel and draws a connection between the rawness and physicality of the medium and natural world. Central to the personal and creative process is the way the pieces interact with the environment. The effects of weather, shifting shadows cast by the sun and the collaboration between the work and land is part of the work itself.
Living close to the ocean and wetlands, Parker is inspired by the natural surroundings of Moreton Bay and shares perspectives on our fragile environment.
Instagram: @mr_gabe_parker
Website: www.gabesculpt.com
Come and see for yourself at SWELL Sculpture Festival, Pacific Parade, Currumbin 10-19 September.