Cornelia Parker Art for Sale: Prints & Originals

Cornelia
Parker

Cornelia Parker is a Contemporary British sculptor and installation artist whose work explores destruction and transformation. If you're looking for original Cornelia Parker prints and editions for sale or would like to sell, request a complimentary valuation and browse our network's most in-demand works.

Biography

Born on 14 July 1956 in Cheshire, England, Parker has established herself as an important figure in Contemporary Art. Her artistic education began at the Gloucestershire College of Art and Design, followed by Wolverhampton Polytechnic, culminating in an M.A. in Fine Art from the University of Reading in 1982. Initially focusing on sculpture and installation, Parker became known for her site-specific works that invite introspection about the relationship between viewers and everyday objects.

Her career gained momentum in the 1990s, especially after her nomination for the Turner Prize in 1997. Parker's art explores destruction and resurrection, often employing found materials. This innovative approach culminates in immersive installations that challenge audiences to confront complex emotional and narrative layers.

Parker's work, Cold Dark Matter: An Exploded View (1991), exemplifies her interest in transformation. This installation features an exploded garden shed suspended in mid-air, prompting reflections on the fragility and resilience inherent in domestic spaces. This hallmark work showcases Parker's interest in imbuing remnants of destruction with new meanings.

Throughout her career, Parker has received numerous accolades, including the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 2010. Her artwork has been exhibited in institutions globally, with a retrospective at Tate Britain in 2022. In addition to her installations, her printmaking practice has gained recognition, with prints that explore the same themes of metamorphosis and fragility as her sculptural works.

Parker's role as an official artist for the British General Election in 2017 further establishes her significance in Contemporary Art. Her engagement with pressing social issues, including ecology and human rights, underscores her belief in the power of art as a catalyst for social change.

The exploration of light and shadow is a crucial aspect of Parker's artistic practice. Installations such as Perpetual Canon utilise the dynamic relationship between these elements to create immersive visual experiences. By manipulating light, Parker transforms her works into ephemeral spaces that shift with the viewer's perspective, enhancing the themes of transience and impermanence that permeate her oeuvre.
Parker frequently collaborates with authority figures such as the army, police, and Customs and Excise, integrating their expertise into her projects. These collaborations allow her to work outside the studio and explore societal structures that often intimidate her. For example, in her work Exhaled Cocaine, Parker used a pile of burnt cocaine, highlighting the creative ways Customs and Excise intercept smuggling attempts. These interactions add intimacy to her work and reflect her fascination with systems of power and control.
Chalk is a recurring material in Cornelia Parker’s art, symbolising the intersection of nature, culture, and history. In her installation Island, Parker used chalk from the White Cliffs of Dover to coat the interior of a greenhouse, with its markings resembling the passage of time. The greenhouse, set atop tiles from the Houses of Parliament, serves as a poignant metaphor for the fragility of the environment and the vulnerability of the UK amidst climate change.