Richard Parker: Master of Craft surveys the career and practice of this defining figure within New Zealand ceramics, with works loaned from leading public and private collections around the country. The curator, Richard Fahey, says "Parker had his own picture of what a pot should look like", and that although Parker's practice is grounded within the traditions of studio ceramics, "As an artist, his innovative approach seeks to redefine for us new ways we may understand the decorative object."

At a pivotal moment in his career Richard Parker abandoned the known in terms of how to make a pot and what it should look like and developed his own unique ceramics vocabulary. This singular vision has sustained his career for over 30 years and produced works that are uniquely recognisable. Parker is noted for a variety of distinctive decorative forms frequently embellished with dashes, dots and dribbles in luscious glazes of red and green, black and cream, and his signature green and gold.

Accompanying the exhibition is a lavishly illustrated 120 page publication, written by Richard Fahey, which describes: the local ceramics context that Parker developed within; his work and style of production; a biographical profile and a consideration of his standing in New Zealand ceramics, followed by a timeline of Parker's exemplary career.

Richard Parker: Master of Craft is the first project in the Objectspace Masters of Craft series. This new series will tell the stories of outstanding and influential New Zealand practitioners whose work exemplifies the value of craftsmanship. The show will tour New Zealand to 8 public art galleries after being presented at Objectspace as part of the Auckland Arts Festival 2011. The next project in the series will focus on New Zealand jeweller Kobi Bosshard and will be curated by Dr Damian Skinner.

Objectspace is very grateful for the generous support of Creative New Zealand, NorthTec, Pasquale Viticultura, The Chartwell Trust, Unitec, and the Objectspace Donors in presenting Richard Parker: Master of Craft.

Objectspace Public Programme:

Saturday 5 March, 11am. Richard Parker in conversation with Richard Fahey.

Saturday 12 March, Objectspace open 10am to midnight as part of Auckland Arts Festival 2011 'White Night'.

Saturday 26 March, 11am. Curator's floor talk.

Saturday 30 April, 11am. Lucky Thirteen Recollections. The 1988 New Zealand Ceramics Symposium, AKA 'The Lucky Thirteen,' was a key event in Richard Parker's career and a milestone in NZ ceramics. Richard Fahey in discussion with some of The Lucky Thirteen participants, including Moyra Elliott, Peter Lange & Merrilyn Wiseman.

Exhibition Tour Details:

Objectspace, Auckland: 5 March - 7 May 2011

Pataka, Porirua: 21 May - 28 Aug 2011

Whangarei Art Museum: 12 Sept - 20 Nov 2011

The Suter Art Gallery, Nelson: 2 Dec 2011 - 6 Feb 2012

Sarjeant Gallery, Wanganui: 16 Jun - 2 Sept 2012 

Te Manawa, Palmerston North: 3 Nov 2012 - 3 Feb 2013

Hastings City Art Gallery: Mar - May 2013

The Bath House, Rotorua Museum of Art and History: June - Aug 2013