Parker, Harold, 1873-1961.

Harold Parker - sculptor and painter. Born Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England in 1873. His family arrived in Brisbane in 1876. In 1888, he began art training at Brisbane Technical College under the instruction of John clarke and godfrey Rivers. He was also instructed in wood carving by C. Vickers. About 1891-1892, he did wood carvings for the N.S.W. Forestry Department in sydney, for the N.S.W. Forestry exhibit at the Chicago Exhibition in 1893. In 1896, he went to London where he studied at the City and Guilds of London Technical Art School at Sosuth Kensington. He first exhibited at the Royal Academy about 1903. In 1908, one of Parker's sculptures, "Ariadne", was purchased by the Trustees of the Chantrey bequest for the Tate Gallery, London. In March 1911, he married Janet robinson, daughter of Major Sir Thomas B. Robinson, Agent-General for Queensland in London. In that year, the Parkers returned to australia for a visit. During his Australian visit, Parker completed a panel in the N.S.W. Art Gallery, Sydney. From 1913 to 1918, Parker was involved in producing two large sculptured groups, flanking the entrance to Australia House, London. In 1921-1922, the Parkers visited Australia again. His sculpture, "The Pioneer" was awarded a medal at the Paris Salon in 1908. In 1930, the Parkers returned again to Australia and settled permanently in Brisbane. Parker's work is represented in the Art Gallery of Queensland, National Gallery of Victoria, Tate Gallery (London), University of Queensland Art Museum, John Oxley Library (Brisbane), College of Art (seven Hills, Brisbane).