Dark arts on show at Vasse Felix

A textile exhibition featuring the work of John Parkes in the company of friends is being displayed in The Holmes À Court gallery at the Vasse Felix winery.

The 20-year survey of his work is complemented by textile pieces created by fellow artists including Elsje Van Keppel, Nalda Searles, Holly Story, Steven Eastaugh and Judy Watson.

The exhibition demonstrates the range of Parkes’ practice with works made from recycled material, dyed, printed, layered and stitched, limited edition prints and quirky mixed media pieces.

Parkes said in his materials-based practice he could dye, print, layer or stitch paper or cloth or draw as a starting point, to see where ideas would take him.

“The cloth might be clothing or bedding, from op shops or gifted, I haven’t brought new cloth for eight years,” he told the Times.

Originally from the Eastern States, Parkes moved to Perth to study with Elsje Van Keppel at Edith Cowan University. Van Keppel’s piece ‘dark night’ was created when she was diagnosed with cancer and will be displayed at the Vasse Felix exhibition alongside a tribute piece by Parkes called ‘untitled: after dark night’ created from fabric he dyed while in her company.

After his mentor Van Keppel passed away Parkes carried on her tradition through lecturing at ECU for the next decade. He also taught at Swan TAFE in Midlands and worked as instructor at Northern Territory Aboriginal art centres.

Parkes said “the notion of hand stitching is a similar notion to dot-art” as it takes a long time to make, giving reference to the concept of slowing down time.

The four-month exhibition has just opened and runs through until October 1 with Parkes being in an artist in residence between July 2 and July 22.

An official opening will be hosted by Janet Holmes À Court on Sunday, July 8.