Artists statement

John Parkes avoids technology. This work expects the viewer to understand the importance of the
hand and time… The blanket and the apron were gifted by friends in Germany. The apron was worn by Helen in her studio practice as a jeweller. The blanket was a find in the cellar of their Munich apartment. The red
moleskin cloth was an OP shop find and originally a eucalyptic green. This cloth was discharged and overdyed. Cloth will often sit around the house, unattended, until ideas germinate. Is “Art” about
“Art” or about the “Artist”?... There is a Buddhist notion of not writing in the first person, in that the Ego is not employed. There is a Japanese tradition “Boro” in which cloth is not discarded but repaired. These three cloths are now one.

Physical description

A square handsewn textile that features a white apron that has red running stitch squares, holes, hand paint stains across with initials in blue thread sewn in the bottom right corner of the apron which is in the center of the work. A brown wool cloth that features rows of white running stitches and red embroidery patches borders the apron, which is bordered by strips of red patterned fabric that has been dyed and features lines of red running stitches.