Denis Alva Parsons

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Denis Alva Parsons
ARBS
(Associate of the Royal British Society of Sculptors, Membership Number 161)

Denis Alva Parsons,

ARBS
(14 November 1934 – 4 April 2012), was an English sculptor and carver in wood and stone, working in the tradition of "direct carving" technique and figurative bronzes.

Career

Parsons was a sculptor, one of the last traditionally-schooled craftsmen in a long British carving tradition. He was accomplished in "Direct carving" – cutting figures out of a block of stone or wood. This was seen as a primary test of the artist's abilities in releasing the figures "hidden" in the inert materials.

Born near Polesworth, Warwickshire, Parsons spent his whole working career in the Midlands. In the 1950s, he served a seven-year apprenticeship with Robert Bridgeman and Sons, Lichfield, later to become Linford Bridgeman a company concentrating on architectural and ecclesiastical carving and sculpture. At the time, the company employed a substantial team of carvers, each with a specialist skill in figurative sculpture, foliage carving and letter cutting. From each craftsman, Parsons was fortunate to acquire traditional skills that had been developed and handed down over many generations. Later he became the company's head sculptor before setting up his own studio near Lichfield.

In a career lasting over fifty years, Denis Parsons established a reputation in the field of wood and stone carving, both figurative and architectural. A range of his figurative work can be found in locations worldwide. St Joseph's R.C. Church at Darlaston,

National Trust including Little Moreton Hall, which is featured in The Building Conservation Directory of 1994.[5]

Parsons demonstrated carving on behalf of The Royal Fine Art Commission (now known as the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment) at the Royal Academy in July 1989 in the presence of Princess Margaret and an exhibition titled "On the Side of the Angels" at the commission's head office in St James's Square, London, in March 1992 in the presence of The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh representing Linford Bridgeman, Lichfield.[6]

In 1992, he was elected an Associate of the

Royal British Society of Sculptors, as member 161.[7]

In 1993, he was awarded the MBE in recognition of his services to conservation.[8] In 2013, The Denis Parsons Foundation was created under the auspices of The City of Lichfield Worshipful Company of Smiths to provide funds to assist local apprentices in practical skills. A tribute to Denis Parson was published in the Lichfield Gazette in June 2013[9] and again shortly afterwards when they featured the establishment of the Denis Parsons Foundation.[10]

Parsons contributed an article to Practical Woordworking magazine in 1992.[11] Parsons has been featured in many publications, including Public Sculpture of Staffordshire and the Black Country.[12] Parsons talks to Marion Hancock about his career in The Architects' Journal.[13] Parsons is featured in Country Life Magazine, where he was referred to as "one of the country's most expert architectural sculptors".[14]

Gallery

  • St Dunston Lime wood St Dunstans RC Church, Kings Heath, Birmingham
    St Dunston
    Lime wood
    St Dunstans RC Church, Kings Heath, Birmingham
  • Crucifix Ash Crypt Chapel, St Marylebone Parish Church, London
    Crucifix
    Ash
    Crypt Chapel, St Marylebone Parish Church, London
  • Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens Bleached Brazilian mahogany Private collection
    Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens
    Bleached Brazilian mahogany
    Private collection
  • NFU Logo Clipsham Stone Entrance foyer of the new head office, Tiddington, Stratford-upon-Avon
    NFU Logo
    Clipsham Stone
    Entrance foyer of the new head office, Tiddington, Stratford-upon-Avon
  • St Kenelm Lime Wood Our Lady and St Kenelm RC Church, Halesowen, West Midlands
    St Kenelm
    Lime Wood
    Our Lady and St Kenelm RC Church, Halesowen, West Midlands
  • St Kenelm Lime Wood Our Lady and St Kenelm RC School, Halesowen, West Midlands
    St Kenelm
    Lime Wood
    Our Lady and St Kenelm RC School, Halesowen, West Midlands
  • St Ambrose – rear view Lime wood St Ambrose RC Church, Kidderminster
    St Ambrose – rear view
    Lime wood
    St Ambrose RC Church, Kidderminster
  • St Mary and Child Christ Lime wood St Mary's Hospital Chapel, London
    St Mary and Child Christ
    Lime wood
    St Mary's Hospital Chapel, London
  • Decorative carving Oak Location unknown
    Decorative carving
    Oak
    Location unknown
  • Decorative carving Oak Location unknown
    Decorative carving
    Oak
    Location unknown
  • Salacia, Queen of the Ocean Lime Wood Private Commission
    Salacia, Queen of the Ocean
    Lime Wood
    Private Commission
  • Archangel Gabriel Clipsham stone St Gabriel's RC Church, Walsall
    Archangel Gabriel
    Clipsham stone
    St Gabriel's RC Church, Walsall
  • Sir William Dugdale, Bt Bronze bust Merevale Hall, Atherstone, Warwickshire
    Sir William Dugdale, Bt
    Bronze bust
    Merevale Hall, Atherstone, Warwickshire
  • Sir William Dugdale, Bt Bronze bust Merevale Hall, Atherstone, Warwickshire
    Sir William Dugdale, Bt
    Bronze bust
    Merevale Hall, Atherstone, Warwickshire
  • St Nicholas Owen Lime wood St Joseph's RC Church, Darlaston, Wednesbury
    St Nicholas Owen
    Lime wood
    St Joseph's RC Church, Darlaston, Wednesbury
  • Wall Sconce Lime wood, gilded Private collection
    Wall Sconce
    Lime wood, gilded
    Private collection
  • Augustus Pugin Japanese Oak Private collection
    Augustus Pugin
    Japanese Oak
    Private collection
  • Augustus Pugin Japanese Oak Private collection
    Augustus Pugin
    Japanese Oak
    Private collection
  • Erasmus Darwin Stone Erasmus Darwin House, Lichfield
    Erasmus Darwin
    Stone
    Erasmus Darwin House, Lichfield
  • Blessed Virgin Mary and Child Christ Bronze Church of Our Lady, Merevale, Warwickshire
    Blessed Virgin Mary and Child Christ
    Bronze
    Church of Our Lady, Merevale, Warwickshire
  • Memorial Tablet Welsh blue slate St Osburg's RC Church, Coventry
    Memorial Tablet
    Welsh blue slate
    St Osburg's RC Church, Coventry
  • Dr Samuel Johnson Burmese teak Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum, Lichfield
    Dr Samuel Johnson
    Burmese teak
    Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum, Lichfield
  • Dr Samuel Johnson Burmese teak Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum, Lichfield
    Dr Samuel Johnson
    Burmese teak
    Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum, Lichfield
  • Heraldic Symbols Stone Palace of Westminster
    Heraldic Symbols
    Stone
    Palace of Westminster
  • Catherine of Valois Portland Stone Westminster Abbey, north transept
    Catherine of Valois
    Portland Stone
    Westminster Abbey, north transept
  • Archangel Raphael & Uriel Portland Stone Westminster Abbey – Upper part of the north transept
    Archangel Raphael & Uriel
    Portland Stone
    Westminster Abbey – Upper part of the north transept
  • Heraldic Symbols Guiting Stone Palace of Westminster
    Heraldic Symbols
    Guiting Stone
    Palace of Westminster
  • Trophy Box Oak Order of the British Empire Chapel, St Paul's Cathedral, London
    Trophy Box
    Oak
    Order of the British Empire Chapel, St Paul's Cathedral, London
  • St Joseph and Child Christ York Stone St Joseph's RC Church, Darlaston
    St Joseph and Child Christ
    York Stone
    St Joseph's RC Church, Darlaston
  • White Lions Cedar White Lion Hotel, Banbury
    White Lions
    Cedar
    White Lion Hotel, Banbury
  • St Ambrose Barlow Lime wood St Ambrose Barlow RC Church, Birmingham, UK
    St Ambrose Barlow
    Lime wood
    St Ambrose Barlow RC Church, Birmingham, UK
  • Rondel, Our Lady & St Peter Cotswold Stone Prinknash Abbey, Cranham, Gloucester
    Rondel, Our Lady & St Peter
    Cotswold Stone
    Prinknash Abbey, Cranham, Gloucester
  • Yoga figure Resin Sculptors collection
    Yoga figure
    Resin
    Sculptors collection
  • St John Vianney Mahogany Location believed to be Ontario, Canada
    St John Vianney
    Mahogany
    Location believed to be Ontario, Canada
  • Medusa American Cherry Sculptors collection
    Medusa
    American Cherry
    Sculptors collection
  • Triple Shell Fountain Portland Stone Abbots Ripton Hall, Huntingdonshire
    Triple Shell Fountain
    Portland Stone
    Abbots Ripton Hall, Huntingdonshire
  • Amphitrite Lime wood Sculptors collection
    Amphitrite
    Lime wood
    Sculptors collection
  • Amphitrite rear view Lime wood Sculptors collection
    Amphitrite rear view
    Lime wood
    Sculptors collection
  • Denis Parsons self-portrait Lime wood Sculptors collection
    Denis Parsons self-portrait
    Lime wood
    Sculptors collection
  • Denis Parsons self-portrait Lime wood Sculptors collection
    Denis Parsons self-portrait
    Lime wood
    Sculptors collection

Selected works

Date Work Material Location
1955c. St Michael the Archangel Oak Unknown
1960c. Canon Jenkins Workshop Stone Lichfield Cathedral, North West tower
1960c. Coat of Arms – Pope John XXIII Portland Stone Unknown
1960c. Wheatsheaf Clipsham Stone NFU, Stratford-upon-Avon
1960c. Jean-Baptiste-Marie Chapaghat Bay Wood Ontario, Canada
1965c. Crucifix Teak Coventry
1965c. Christ in Glory Lime Wood Unknown
1965c. St Nicholas of Myra, Turkey Mahogany St Nicholas C of E Church, Droitwich
1965c. St Chad Honduras Mahogany Unknown
1967c. Madonna and Child Material unknown Unknown
1969c. St Leonard Hollington Stone Unknown
1969 Blue Coat Boy Portland Stone Blue Coat School, Walsall
1971 Rondel, Our Lady and St Peter Work in progress Cotswod Stone Prinknash Abbey, Cranham, Gloucester
1972 The Good Shepherd Lime Wood St Joseph's RC College, Stoke-on-Trent
1973 Sir Thomas More in workshop On site Close up Mahogany Thomas Moor RC School, Willenhall, Walsall
1973 Venerable Francis Leveson Rear view Close up Mahogany Thomas Moor RC School, Willenhall, Walsall
1973 St Nicholas Owen Work in progress Lime Wood St Joseph's RC Church, Darlaston, Wednesbury
1973c. The 'Blessed' John Henry Cardinal Newman Portland Stone Unknown
1974 Yoga Figure Resin Sculptors Collection
1975 Processional Cross Oak/Gilded Christ Church Cathedral, Stanley, Falkland Islands
1976 St Catherine of Alexandria Clipsham Stone Church of St Mary the Virgin, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire
1978 St Thomas Becket Clipsham Stone Church of St Mary the Virgin, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire
1978 Archangel Raphael & Archangel Uriel Raphael being worked Uriel being worked Uriel completed Portland Stone North transept, Westminster Abbey
1978 Henry V & Catherine of Valois Carving Demonstration Catherine of Valois completed Portland Stone North transept, Westminster Abbey
1978 Triple Shell Fountain Workshop Close up Side Shells Portland Stone Abbots Ripton Hall, Huntindonshire
1978 St Joseph and Child Christ Church York stone St Joseph's RC Church, Darlaston, West Midlands
1984 Talbot Hound Grinsill stone Alton Towers, Staffordshire
1985 Royal Achievement Coat of Arms Pawsons York Stone County Court Buildings, Burton-on-Trent
1985 Crucifix Wood, Decorated and Gilded St Agatha's Church, Llanymynech, Oswestry
1986 Crucifix In Workshop Ash Crypt Chapel, St Marylebone Parish Church, London
1986 Heraldic Symbols: Staff of Life – Lancaster Rose Guiting Stone Houses of Parliament, Riverside exterior
1986 Heraldic Symbols Guiting Stone Houses of Parliament, Riverside exterior
1989 Archangel Gabriel Clipsham Stone St Gabriels Church, Walsall
1990 Commemorative Tablet Work in progress Welsh Blue Slate St Osburg's RC Church, Coventry
1990 Dr Samuel Johnson Work in Progress Work in Progress RA Demonstration Completed figure front Completed figure rear Burmese Teak The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum, Lichfield
1991 Little Moreton Hall South elevation Original post Carving in workshop Carving in situ English Green Oak Little Moreton Hall, Cheshire
1991 Amphitrite Rear view Close up Blocking in 1 Blocking in 2 Finishing Lime wood Sculptors Private Collection
1992 Sir Edwin Lutyens Blocking in 1 Blocking in 2 Carving Demonstration Bleached Brazilian mahogany Private Collection
1992 St Dunstan Lime wood St Dunstans RC Church, Kings Heath, Birmingham
1993 Pope St Gregory the Great Lime wood St Gregory's RC Church, Stoke-on-Trent
1993 Trophy boxes Trophy Box Working drawing Grand Cross Star Centre panel Crown Grand Cross Star in situ Oak Order of the British Empire Chapel, St Paul's Cathedral, London
1994 Sir William Dugdale, 2nd Baronet In situ Profile Clay maquette Bronze Merevale Hall, Warwickshire
1994 Dean John Lang & Francis Lang Work in progress Stone Lichfield Cathedral
1995 St Ambrose Working drawing Rear view Lime Wood St Ambrose RC Church, Kidderminster
1996 Salacia – Queen of the Ocean In workshop Lime Wood Private Collection
1998 Erasmus Darwin relief Incised Paving Slabs Stone Erasmus Darwin House, Lichfield
1998 St Kenelm Working Drawing In Workshop Lime Wood Our Lady and St Kenelm RC Church, Halesowen, West Midlands
1998 A pair of white lions In workshop In situ Cedar White Lion Hotel, Banbury
1998 St Mary and Child Christ Work in progress Dedication Lime Wood St Mary's Hospital Chapel, London
1999 St Kenelm Working Drawing School visit Lime Wood Our Lady and St Kenelm RC School, Halesowen, West Midlands
2002 Denis Parsons self-portrait Side view Lime wood Sculptors collection
2003 Augustus Pugin Portrait Bust Side View Base Maquette Japanese Oak Private collection
2004 Blessed Virgin Mary and Child Christ 1, 2, 3 Bronze Church of Our Lady, Merevale, Warwickshire

References

  1. ^ "Denis Parsons, artist in wood and stone". St Joseph's RC Church.
  2. ^ Crabtree, Charlie (29 November 2008). "Church celebrates 150th Anniversary". Kidderminster Shuttle.
  3. ^ "St Marylebone Parish Church". Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  4. ^ "papers rel to carving of St Uriel". The National Archives. The National Archives.
  5. ^ Atkinson, Daryl (1994). "A voyage of Discovery – The Repair and Restoration of Little Moreton Hall". The Building Conservation Directory: 59, 60. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  6. ^ "On The Side of the Angels". The Birmingham Post. 21 February 1992.
  7. ^ Parsons, Denis Alva. "Membership No. 161". Royal British Society of Sculptors.
  8. ^ "The London Gazette Supplement:53332 Page:B20". The London Gazette.
  9. ^ Lichfield Gazette tribute to Denis Parsons
  10. ^ Lichfield Gazette – The Denis Parsons Foundation. Accessed 10 January 2023.
  11. ^ "Carving Through Tradition – Holding your Work". Practical Wood Working. March 1992.
  12. .
  13. ^ Hancock, Marion (27 April 1994). "My Carving". The Architects' Journal. 199 (17): 58.
  14. ^ Hall, Michael (21 April 1994). "True Principles". Country Life: 70.