ELISE PARKER
Elise Parker is a local artist and recent graduate of Lesley University, where she studied Fine Arts and Art History. Originally from Mattapoisett, MA, she currently works between the Boston area and Providence, RI. Elise’s art practice is interdisciplinary—focusing mainly in printmaking, bookmaking, sculpture, and installation. Her work is driven by her interest in ecology and environmental studies, and is heavily informed by her dedication to research. The artist sometimes describes her process of creating as being “in-collaboration with the natural elements, rather than merely representing them.” Over the past year, Elise has acted as President of Press 304, a student-run printmaking co-op at Lesley University focused on the creation and distribution of printed media. This experience has informed her ideologies around art accessibility and representation. In her contemporary and future practice, Elise is interested in pursuing work that is accessible, conceptual, democratic, public, and site specific.
Instagram: @partker_elise
Pick up this print aT ZONE 3
ARTIST Q&A
Born: New Bedford, MA
Currently lives: Providence, RI
Title of artwork: New England Natives
What’s it about? This artwork is a hand-carved relief print depicting 15 flora and fauna indigenous to New England
Where else can we find your work? Online via social media and my website
Where is your favorite public art piece in the area?Although the work exhibited consistently rotates, I love the Rose Kennedy Greenway’s commitment to connecting public art and urban ecology. I think that sometimes the best public art includes making both of these things accessible through community engagement.
Who is your favorite Boston-area artist to follow? Patrick Casey
What’s your favorite way to spend a day off? Any type of outdoor adventure! Even if it’s just a long walk
What was your top song for 2021? Let by Pinegrove
Favorite food spot in in Allston, Brighton or the surrounding area ? Anywhere with coffee 🙂
What have you learned about your creative practice in recent years? Collaboration is key. Allowing other’s ideas to permeate your own can only make them better.
What is a piece of advice you would give to your past self as a young artist? The more you make, the more you learn.
What is your dream project to work on? To create publicly accessible work which connects the arts and sciences through community engagement. I am always interested in site-specific installation and work that is reflective of the place that it was made.
