Zero Exhibition - Unique large scale sculptures by Joel Parkes

In his new project Zero, Joel has spent the last year creating over 20 unique urns and bowls which will be on display alongside drawings and other experimental work.

Hidden away in his West Dorset studio, Joel has sourced ancient, broken and ravaged pieces of wood, so old and vast that they would break any machinery used to process them. Dragged to the studio, Joel sets out to repair the cracks and splits with pewter, creating an ornate matrix which appears to ooze from the wood like viscous mercury. Each piece is hand carved and polished at length to expose the true and intense beauty of the wood, using finishing techniques such as acrylic neons, resins, gold leaf burnishing and controlled scorching. Joel then works into the flaws to expose them as areas of intrigue, telling a silent story. We can see, in the anomalies and scars of the wood, a richness and depth of beauty we see in each other, that our experiences are that which shape us, for good or bad and that in that weathered patina, lies our true beauty.

Film maker Charlie Inman - Bosh [Brazil Bam Bam Bam with Gilles Peterson, Mother London] spent over a week filming Joel's practice and made the film as the first part of an ongoing experimental series which will document the evolution of Joel's work and his future career. There will be a showcase of the first film in this unique series charting the life of an Artist in real time.