James Parrett

At the heart of my practice I'm inspired by the aesthetic potential of the circular form and what can be achieved through the dissection and reconfiguration of radial arcs. I strive to challenge and defy a viewer’s expectation, creating visual intrigue with shapes and the points of intersection between lines, shapes and curves. Being able to create a ridged form that conveys movement is the ultimate goal. I love the concept of a landmark - something that is grand and arresting from afar, something that's immediately identifiable, evoking both curiosity and conversations - something that presents itself on all levels and from every angle.
Artist Statement - James Parrett

'Parrett is an avid skateboard rider who built his own skate bowl within his studio, observing that before each move a skater must first calculate the line or angle. These variable arcs further inform his pieces as does his other passion, surfing. ‘I’m not just mimicking the waves in my sculptures,’ he says. ‘Rather, I’m responding the power of the wave, how it has a peaceful energy at the start and then it turns into this explosive energy that nobody can control. It can go anywhere it wants to go and do anything it wants to do. And it’s the contrast between those two energies I want my work to have, often quite peaceful but they sometimes explode.’
Excerpt from Bowed Catalogue essay by Andrew Gaynor 2025