Gargoyles

“As she begins to leave childhood, innocence mixes with knowledge to create magic. She is a magician’s daughter, raised with ancient wisdom that she begins to play with for the first time.” – Michael Parkes

Gargoyles (1985) was the first artwork by Michael Parkes to capture the attention of a mainstream audience – reproduced in the form of a poster, it came to adorn hundreds of thousands of walls throughout North America. It is a captivating work of art that seamlessly combines elements of fantasy and surrealism. Renowned for his mastery of the magical and the mysterious, Parkes brings to life a world where the boundaries between reality and imagination blur.

Parkes skillfully crafts a scene featuring intricately detailed stone creatures, each possessing an aura of ancient wisdom and otherworldly presence. These gargoyles, traditionally known as guardians of sacred spaces, are imbued with a sense of sentinel duty, their stern yet watchful expressions hinting at a deeper understanding of the secrets they protect.

The composition exudes a timeless quality, as if the gargoyles have stood vigil for centuries, witnessing the ebb and flow of time itself. Parkes’ use of light and shadow adds depth and dimension to the scene, accentuating the texture and weathered appearance of the stone. The play of light also bestows an ethereal quality upon the gargoyles, evoking a sense of mysticism and enchantment.

Additionally, Parkes employs a rich and earthy color palette, reminiscent of ancient stone and moss-covered surfaces. This choice of colors further reinforces the connection between the gargoyles and the natural world, emphasizing their symbiotic relationship with the elements.

As with much of Michael Parkes’ work, “Gargoyles” invites viewers to ponder the intersection of the tangible and the mystical. It beckons them to explore the realm of the imagination, where stone beings come to life in the imagination’s eye. This masterpiece serves as a testament to Parkes’ ability to transport observers to a place of wonder, where the boundaries of reality dissolve, leaving only the magic of the artist’s creation.