Steve Parker is one of ArtConnect’s Artists to Watch '22

Steve Parker gathers people into democratic, communal rituals to explore systems of behavior, their variability across history, and their application to contemporary life. His projects include elaborate civic rituals for humans, animals, and machines; listening sculptures modeled after obsolete surveillance tools; and cathartic transportation symphonies for operators of cars, pedicabs, and bicycles. He works with salvaged musical instruments, amateur choirs, marching bands, birders, pedicab fleets, urban bat colonies, honeybee hives, and flocks of grackles. 

Parker’s current body of work focuses on the history of listening in conflict. In this work, he creates interactive sound sculptures out of salvaged brass, merging tools of surveillance, anarchy, and propaganda with the listening philosophy of Pauline Oliveros, who considered listening to be an act of compassion. Together, these sculptures create an ecosystem of mutant instruments, vintage contraptions, and touchable musical scores. The sculptures are arranged so that they create pockets of activity throughout a space, creating an ever-changing dance between participants, sculptures, and sound that stimulate new practices of listening: listening to ourselves, listening to others, and listening without judgement.

ArtConnect asked the winning artists to share with us a glimpse into their creative life to get a sense of their personal inspiration and artistic process.

How did you get started as an artist?

I am trained as a musician and my path to making visual-oriented art has been crooked. Improvisation has always been a big part of my approach, which has led me to work as a performer, organizer, composer, and finally sculptor.

How would you describe your artistic approach?

I'm always interested in finding new ways to involve viewers as performers in the artwork I make. This takes on many different forms, from participatory fluxus-style works to interactive sculpture. I always think it's far more interesting and compelling to highlight the natural expressive voices of the public rather than my own.

And how about what inspires you?

At the moment, my kids are my greatest inspiration because they have no fear and their creativity and energy has no limits.

What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced as an artist?

At the moment, my kids are my greatest inspiration because they have no fear and their creativity and energy has no limits.

Describe a typical day in the studio/wherever you make your work.

My typical day in the studio runs from 9-12. I begin with some writing, sketching, and research. I listen to music while making. I usually wrap up the last 45 minutes with some admin work or catching up on email correspondence.

Is there a medium, a process, or a technique that you haven't used in your work yet but would like to try out?

I make lots of models in various materials and I'd next like to investigate casting these in bronze. I also hope to start welding soon.

What are you currently working on? Or an upcoming project you want to mention?

I have a solo show about the fragility of the body at Ivester Contemporary in Austin in September. For this, I'll be making a 10 foot head from cardboard that can be entered and played like a theremin. I have a show in December at the Art League Houston called FIGHT SONG which examines the connection between the marching band and traumatic injury, labor, and exploitation in American Football.

How does it feel to be selected as an ArtConnect Artist to Watch?

It's often hard to know if one's current artistic path resonates with other people. Being selected as an Artist to Watch is incredibly affirming and it's a massive honor.

Anything else you want to add?

Thank you for this incredible opportunity!

See more of Steve'’s work

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