Michael Parkes
Michael Parkes

Michael Parkes

Step into the enchanting world of Michael Parkes, where magic and mystery intertwine with breathtaking beauty. Fusing classical technique with surreal imagination, Parkes creates dreamlike realms filled with celestial beings, mythical creatures, and quiet moments of wonder. His art invites you to pause, reflect, and lose yourself in a place where the impossible feels within reach. Welcome to a collection where fantasy becomes reality.

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About Michael Parkes

Earlier on, Michael Parkes had painted in the generally Abstract Expressionist style normal among his professors, but after his pause for reflection, he began to draw  and paint in a meticulous style of detailed representation which would enable him to give full expression to his inner world of images. 

Michael Parkes is the world’s leading magical realism painter, sculptor and stone lithographer. His decades of success as a fine artist stand out in the art world where few artists thrive. Michael Parkes’ works are collected by celebrities, prominent private collectors and galleries around the world and his body of work stands for all ages.

His first one man show was in Amsterdam back in 1977. Additional one-man exhibitions of Michael Parkes have taken place at Basel in Switzerland, Art Chicago, Art fair NY, Frankfurt Book fair, Amsterdam Art Fair, Tefaf Art and Antiques Fair Maastricht and numerous exhibitions in their galleries in Amsterdam and New York 1977 onwards.

Though he studied graphic art and painting at the University of Kansas, his unique style evolved very much in isolation, after a period in which he gave up the practice of art all together and went off to India in search of philosophical illumination. 

The style was in principle realistic, the subject matter magical, and Magic Realism, has characterized his work ever since. Michael Parkes has studied deeply in esoteric doctrine of the East and the West and his imagery is drawn from a range of wisdoms including the cabalistic and tantric, but embodied in forms from his own imagination nowhere immediately accessible. Here strange beasts encounter mysterious winged women, good and evil fight out their immemorial conflict  (though who can be perfectly sure which is which?) and in this weightless environment worlds are unmade and remade nearer to the heart’s desire.

FAQs

What is Magical Realism?

Magical realism traditionally used when referring to literature, is the concept of fictional or mythological elements introduced into reality. The contradiction creates a dramatic effect within the works. Michael Parkes is particularly inspired by literature and his art usually consists of mythological creatures comfortably interacting with mundane items of reality in a unique way. His infatuation with these concepts is what amkes Michael Parkes a master in the works of magical realism.

What mediums does Michael Parkes work in?

Michael Parkes is a master of stone lithography and also creates in a variety of mediums such as oil paintings on canvas, sketches on paper, and bronze. Michael Parkes work is also available in a wide range of giclee prints on canvas.

What are stone lithographs?

Stone lithography is a manual printing process that was made popular by Picasso, Giacometti, and Toulouse Lautrec in the 19th and 20th century. The artist will use stone to create an image then transferred to paper. Each color of ink is laid onto the paper separately, Parks uses up to ten colors per piece! This is a laborious task; He spent many years working with masters of stone lithography to develop a seamless creative process.

Can I get these limited editions anywhere else?

As of now, we are the exclusive gallery of Michael Parkes in the United States for new releases and originals. We have partnered with Michael Parkes and his publisher in Europe to get you all of the new releases as soon as possible.

Where does Michael Parkes get his inspiration from?

Michael has spent years studying metaphysics and philosophy, he also has a passion for mythology and history. Parkes takes common themes and ideas and represents them with iconic forms.

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