Artist

Gerry Parke

My practice is a continued investigation into how masculine identity is formed, developed and expressed in the world. But also, how others perceive, react and respond to this ‘Masculine Performance’ by unpacking how and why men learn, then propagate and perpetuate ideas of masculinity throughout their life. The works address the burden of masculinity, the burden bound up in the collective practice of performing masculinity: loneliness, depression, violence, conspicuous over-consumption and the propensity for risk-taking.

The performance of the painter becomes critical but how can this performance be calibrated to celebrate the potential of the medium while avoiding it being a simplistic celebration of all things male? What can paint contribute to the content of the work and, more specifically, how can paint represent and embody those notions, rather than merely re-presenting observed action via a photo referent. 

Artist Details

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand

Highlights

Solo Exhibitions

2021

A History of Violence, Whitespace Gallery, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland 

2020

Cut from the cloth, Whitespace Gallery, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland 

2019

Performing Masculinities, Allpress Gallery, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland 

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Group Exhibitions

2019

Performing Masculinities, Whitecliffe Graduate show, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland 

2018

Semi-Final, Demo, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland 

2017

Paperwork, Demo, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland

Inside the Studio

Power and Strength, Reinterpreted

Watch Video
Artist Gerry Parke talks to Artfull about his painting practice. Street art, graffiti and ideas of what it means to be a man.