Biography:
Mark Parkin was born in Cardiff south Wales, at the age of nine he emigrated with his family to Toronto, Canada where he pursued his fascination with the fine arts. He undertook studying the visual arts seriously at an early age by enrolling in the Vocational Art program at his high school. After graduating from high school Parkin was accepted into the Ontario College of Art in Toronto, Canada where he began to flirt with surrealism.
During this period he developed his academic approach to painting using classical techniques while being influenced by the metaphysical school of surrealistic painting. Influences such as Salvador Dali, De Chirico, Magritte and Ivan Albright inspired him to develop his own painting style. He ended his studies at the Ontario College of Art in 1981 and began his career as a professional artist. The following year he received "Best in Show" award for the watercolour painting "No Tomorrow" competing in North York's "Eye on Art" Open Show.
After a brief spell in Montreal, Quebec he returned to Toronto and decided to travel throughout Europe. In 1986 he settled in Barcelona, Spain that encapsulated all his aspirations as a painter. During this period he continued to paint and sold his work throughout different regions of Spain. His love for the country, its people and unique culture remains undiminished despite his departure in 1993. Parkin has been painting and exhibiting his work in his native Wales.
Artists Statement:
Themes and concepts in my work deal with the irrational transformation and juxtaposition of figures and objects in space. To create imaginary worlds filled with light and darkness while giving free reign to the subconscious mind as a source of creativity, to liberate pictorial ideas from traditional associations. A personal dreamscape unlocked through painting and drawing exploring the unknown parameters of the human psyche, placing emphasis on craftsmanship and imagination.
“A lazy artist never creates a masterpiece” - Salvador Dali