Biography

2023

2016

  • John Parker : CAUSE AND EFFECT, a major retrospective celebrating my 50 years as a potter, Te Uru Gallery
  • Publication of John Parker : CAUSE AND EFFECT, The accompanying 140 page large scale book edited by Mary Barr with contributors - Garth Clark, Andrew Clifford, Douglas Lloyd Jenkins, Grace Cochrane and Jim Barr and Mary Barr. Photography by Haru Sameshima and design by Derek Ward.

2015

  • Senior Honours Award for Services and Support of Pasifika Artists, Faailoga Faaeaina a le Pipa, PIPA (Pacific Institute of Performing Arts)
  • Editor of 100 VASES FOR HELEN publication, Masterworks Gallery.
  • Portage Award Winner of the residency at Guldagergaad Ceramic Research Centre, Denmark, Te Uru Gallery
  • Curator and exhibition designer for 5 X 5 : NEW CONVERSATIONS WITH CLAY, Te Uru Gallery

2014

  • Visiting Artist Residency at ANU Canberra, Australia

2013

  • Residency at Sturt Pottery, Mittagong, Australia

2012-14

  • Appointed Adjunct Professor, Performance and Screen Arts, Unitec, Auckland

2010

  • Honoured as an Arts Laureate by The Art's Foundation of NZ

2007

  • Residency at FLICAM (FuLe International Ceramic Art Museums Fuping Pottery Art Village), Shaanxi, China, creating work for the Australasian Museum Complex http://www.fptyc.com/English/Museum.asp
  • Winner of Portage Awards John Green Waitakere Artist Award
  • Selected as a Member of The International Academy of Ceramics, Geneva

2004

  • Appointed to the Creative NZ Craft/Object Art Fellowship Committee
  • Appointed Lead Artist for the new Flat Bush Town Centre, Warren and Mahoney Architects
  • Set Designer of the Year for BIG RIVER, Downstage Theatre, Wellington

2003

  • Appointed Lead Artist for the Glen Eden Library Project, Waitakere City Council
  • Appointed to the Creative NZ Arts Board Craft/Object Art Committee

2002

  • Honoured with major retrospective exhibition, John Parker CERAMICS, City Gallery, Wellington.
  • Set Designer of the Year for THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, Auckland Theatre Company

2001

  • Set Designer of the Year for ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD, Auckland Theatre Company

1999

  • Awarded Waitakere City MILLENIUM MEDAL for services to the Community
  • Made Life Member of Auckland Studio Potters

1998

  • Tutor in Theatre Performance Technology, School of Architecture and Design, Unitec

1997-2005

  • Treasurer NZ China Friendship Society (Auckland Branch)

1996

  • Visit to China with Tom Newnham and Jan McLeod researching Kathleen Hall and filming the Kathleen Hall Centenial documentary for CCTV (China Central Television)

1989

  • Co-Curator for 1990 touring show MAU MAHARA : 150 Years Of New Zealand Craft
  • Awarded Major Creative Development Grant by Q E 2 to research glaze technology and U V light

1988

  • Appointed Curator for the New Zealand COUNTRY OF FOCUS EXHIBITION at Faenza, ITALY,1991

1987

  • Co-selector Winstones Craft Biennale

1986

  • First visit to China with the NZ Camelia Society

1986-89

  • Resident Designer MERCURY THEATRE

1983-86

  • Head of Design THEATRE CORPORATE

1977-81

  • Director of The Auckland Studio Potters Centre

1977

  • Returned to Auckland

1976

  • Shared Workshop with Ian Godfrey, Islington, London, UK
  • Tutor, Hastings College of Further Education, UK

1975

  • Graduated, M.A. Degree Royal College of Art

1973

  • London, studying at the Royal College of Art

1971

  • Received small electric kiln from Mavis Robinson

1970

  • Graduated from Auckland Teachers College with Teachers College Diploma with Distinction
  • Member 12 Potters Co-operative

1969

  • Member World Crafts Council

1967

  • Stoneware kiln built with Grant Hudson

1966

  • Began night-school pottery with Margaret Milne

1952-65

  • Educated at Howick District High School, Panmure Bridge Primary, Tamaki Intermediate, Tamaki College, Auckland University

1947

  • Born in Auckland on July 7