Cornelia Parker

Iwona Blazwick
Thames & Hudson

Cornelia Parker is one of Britain’s most innovative practising artists. Her work presents lines of enquiry and invites viewers to consider the fragility of the human experience. With a foreword by Yoko Ono, an introduction by Bruce Ferguson, essays by Iwona Blazwick and commentary from the artist, this book is incredibly fascinating.

Surveying the artist’s entire career, it’s compelling to see the trajectory of her practice. Each contribution made by Parker is a personal narrative, which explains the creation of her works from the 1970s to the present day. She transforms everyday objects into riveting works of art, often by flattening (Thirty Pieces of Silver) and blowing them up (Cold Dark Matter: An Exploded View). The physicality and scale of her work is truly awe-inspiring.

Organised chronologically, the text features five essays by Blazwick which contextualise Parker’s work, looking at her influences and interests. However, the most successful element in this collection is Parker’s descriptions and anecdotes about the creation of her most celebrated pieces, providing a new look into her oeuvre.

Shirley Stevenson