#benjaminparker

Benjamín Walter Parker Hardy

Reclining minotaur, 2011, benjamin parker

This piece is taken from a series of sketches entitled 'An Andalucian minotaur', made whilst in observance of the festivals and feiras of Andalucia, Spain. The simple form references the primitive, natural deitification, temporal reverence, and forgotten idolatries. At the same time, the pose is a tribute to iconic reclining figures of 'enlightened' classical art, a symbol of man's effort to distance himself from nature. The semi-engagement of the subject-matter and apparent grandiosity of form serve to create distance from the observer, while the tranquillity and peaceful arrogance betray the fact that this image depicts a spent protagonist being dragged through the sand, from the arena, after having been sacrificed during a 'corrida' (bullfight).

Parvus Martyr II, benjamin parker

Octopuses are fascinating animals. In Hawaiian mythology, they are the only survivors of a previous, alien universe. Indeed, their genome is unusually large, unlike that of other invertebrates – so much so that that it's being called "alien" by the scientists who worked on it. They are highly intelligent, possibly more so than any other invertebrate. Yet, young octopuses learn almost nothing from their parents, who often die of reproduction: males can live for only a few months after mating, and females die shortly after their eggs hatch. They are the inspiration for my Martyr series.

Utilitas (Mediterraneum) III, benjamin parker

The Utilitas series explores the relationship of human beings within nature. The term Utilitas (usefulness in Latin) refers to the act of making nature a commodity. Although members of the animal kingdom, we constantly quest to deny this fact and separate ourselves from nature. This series of images examines and comments on the socio-political and cultural constructs developed to create the illusion of dominance or ownership over nature and our environment – ranging from scientific classification and exploration to rituals of ownership through naming, from religious division to revised evolution through man-made (un-natural) selection. This artwork features the schematic of the "Brookes", a British slave ship. This references the idea of false ownership and life as a commodity.

Asteroidea (Starfish), benjamin parker

This work is inspired by nature's migrations and the idea of using stars to find one's way

Utilitas (gar fish IV), benjamin parker

This artwork is part of the Utilitas series, a series that explores the relationship of human beings within nature. Although we are members of the animal kingdom, we constantly quest to deny this fact and separate ourselves from nature. This series of images examines and comments on the socio-political and cultural constructs developed to create the illusion of dominance or ownership over nature and our environment – ranging from scientific classification and exploration to rituals of ownership through naming, from religious division to revised evolution through man-made (un-natural) selection. This artwork features the image of a boat, a reference to the act of migrating. Animals migrate to survive, to reach new resources. In this sense, migrating is a natural act. When human beings migrate, we follow primitive behaviour patterns. Trying to limit or stop migration is one of the many ways for mankind to dominate nature.

Utilitas (gar fish I), benjamin parker

This artwork is part of a series that explores the relationship of human beings within nature. As members of the animal kingdom, we constantly quest to deny this fact and separate ourselves from nature. This series of images examines and comments on the socio-political and cultural constructs developed to create the illusion of dominance or ownership over nature and our environment – ranging from scientific classification and exploration to rituals of ownership through naming, from religious division to revised evolution through man-made (un-natural) selection.