Mark Parmenter

Few artists are sufficiently versatile as to visualize a possible sculpture, to then select materials and proceed to form those materials into the final work. Mark Parmenter is one such artist: he designs his sculptures, he forges them into reality in his medium of choice and then, at his own forge, can re-design and re-create and re-structure in ways foreign to most others.

With his own foundry, Mark Parmenter chooses materials to his liking for a specific work and proceeds to "forge" it into reality.

The results vary from small, illusively suggestive works to large, dramatic figures, parts of figures, hints of hands or arms or legs or torsos and an apparently unlimited number of creative juxtapositions of evocative anatomical elements. He probes unexpected, incongruous relationships of human parts in arresting and intriguing manners, always tasteful, always with sweeping and provocative lines.

David and Goliath, stalwart, striking, stunning, is a very special Parmenter creation which he poised atop a pedestal of his own construction. From any angle, the protagonists in this singularly dramatic work are mesmerizing.

Many of Mark's works have bases (often wood) which he designs, hues and finishes. By altering the heights of various works it makes it possible for them to be easily moved into alternate locations.

A penchant for canoeing has lead Mr. Parmenter to produce some startlingly unusual "boats," some with and some without passengers and/or canoeists, some table size, others on elegant stands.

A Parmenter sculpture, inside or outside, sends a powerful message -- original, permanent, provocative, eminently satisfying.