Michael Parkes initially painted in the Abstract Expressionist style, as taught by his professors, but a period of introspection led him to switch to a meticulous representation style. This allowed him to fully express his inner world of images.
Michael Parkes is a renowned painter, sculptor, and lithographer known for his magical realism works. Despite the challenging nature of the art world, he has achieved success and his pieces are sought after by celebrities, private collectors, and galleries worldwide. He has been exhibiting his works since 1977, when he had his first one-man show in Amsterdam. His exhibitions have taken place at prestigious events such as the Basel in Switzerland, Art Chicago, and Art fair NY, among others.
While he studied graphic art and painting at the University of Kansas, Parkes’ unique style developed during a period of isolation when he temporarily stopped creating art and traveled to India in search of spiritual enlightenment. His style is rooted in realism but incorporates magical elements, earning him the title of a Magic Realism artist. Drawing from both Eastern and Western esoteric doctrines, Parkes’ imagery is a fusion of various wisdoms such as cabalistic and tantric teachings, translated through his own imagination. Within his work, strange creatures coexist with winged women, the eternal battle between good and evil rages on (though it is often unclear which side is which), and entire worlds are created and destroyed in an ethereal realm, closer to the desires of the heart.
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