Renewed Botanic by Gabriel Parker
12 July – 24th August, 2024
The sculpture responds to the way plant life grows over nearly everything. By using imagery as a filter, I aim to create a sense of closeness to the botanical environment. This work explores the renewed space that existed millions of years ago, which was once occupied by plants. This space is composed of the hydrocarbons and minerals found in steel, which form the basis of these compositions that reference the botanical world. I encourage you to resist seeking meaning in the forms. The focus is on the gestures created through the direct work with steel, which I have documented here. It’s about the bay, the wetlands, the wind, and the tools and their history as they exist in my hands. The beauty of the material is displayed here in its raw form. I don’t wish to artificially embellish these pieces; they are personal, and there’s no trick to compel you to look. I want to showcase a rawness that becomes apparent when you examine the surface closely. These pieces invite you to pay attention rather than compete for your focus. They occupy their space without taking up much volume.
