Denis Alva Parsons

Denis Alva Parsons
Denis Alva Parsons
Born (1934-11-14)14 November 1934
Polesworth, Warwickshire, UK
Died 4 April 2012(2012-04-04) (aged 77)
Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, UK
Nationality British
Education Seven year apprenticeship, Robert Bridgeman & Sons, Lichfield, UK
Known for Sculpture, carving, letter cutting, gilding.
Awards MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire), ARBS (Associate of the Royal British Society of Sculptors, Membership Number 161)

Denis Alva Parsons MBE 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

Denis 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 which 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. See The Architects' Journal reference below.

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, Wednesbury, West Midlands, UK features four of his figures.[1] The Samuel Johnson Birthpace Museum in Lichfield, Staffordshire, UK exhibits a figure of Dr Johnson in the round created by Parsons.[2] St Ambrose's Church, Kidderminster, UK displays Denis' interpretation of St Ambrose in lime wood.[3] The crypt chapel at St Marylebone Parish Church, London contains a crucifix by Parsons.[4] His work is to be found in many of the great buildings across the UK – including St Paul's Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey where Parsons was responsible for the restoration/replacement of eight large figures and decorative stonework on the North Transept.[5] His skills were often called upon during major conservation projects for the National Trust including Little Moreton Hall which is featured in The Building Conservation Directory 1994[6]

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 Duke of Edinburgh representing Linford Bridgeman, Lichfield.[7] In 1992 Denis was elected an Associate of the Royal British Society of Sculptors, as member 161.[8] In 1993 he was awarded the MBE in recognition of his services to conservation.[9] 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[10] and again shortly afterwards when they featured the establishment of the Denis Parsons Foundation.[11]

Denis Parsons contributed an article to Practical Woordworking magazine in 1992.[12] Parsons has been featured in many publications, including Public Sculpture of Staffordshire and the Black Country.[13] Parsons talks to Marion Hancock about his career in The Architects' Journal.[14] Parsons is featured in Country Life Magazine, where he was referred to as "one of the country's most expert architectural sculptors".[15]

A book is currently being written about the life and works of Denis Alva Parsons.

Selected works

DateWorkMaterialLocation
1955c.St Michael the ArchangelOakUnknown
1960c.Canon Jenkins WorkshopStoneLichfield Cathedral, North West tower
1960c.Coat of Arms – Pope John XXIIIPortland StoneUnknown
1960c.WheatsheafClipsham StoneNFU, Stratford-upon-Avon
1960c.Jean-Baptiste-Marie ChapaghatBay WoodOntario, Canada
1965c.CrucifixTeakCoventry
1965c.Christ in GloryLime WoodUnknown
1965c.St Nicholas of Myra, TurkeyMahoganySt Nicholas C of E Church, Droitwich
1965c.St ChadHonduras MahoganyUnknown
1967c.Madonna and ChildMaterial unknownUnknown
1969c.St LeonardHollington StoneUnknown
1969Blue Coat BoyPortland StoneBlue Coat School, Walsall
1971Rondel, Our Lady and St Peter Work in progressCotswod StonePrinknash Abbey, Cranham, Gloucester
1972The Good ShepherdLime WoodSt Joseph's RC College, Stoke-on-Trent
1973Sir Thomas More in workshop On site Close upMahoganyThomas Moor RC School, Willenhall, Walsall
1973Venerable Francis Leveson Rear view Close upMahoganyThomas Moor RC School, Willenhall, Walsall
1973St Nicholas Owen Work in progressLime WoodSt Joseph's RC Church, Darlaston, Wednesbury
1973c.The 'Blessed' John Henry Cardinal NewmanPortland StoneUnknown
1974Yoga FigureResinSculptors Collection
1975Processional CrossOak/GildedChrist Church Cathedral, Stanley, Falkland Islands
1976St Catherine of AlexandriaClipsham StoneChurch of St Mary the Virgin, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire
1978St Thomas BecketClipsham StoneChurch of St Mary the Virgin, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire
1978Archangel Raphael & Archangel Uriel Raphael being worked Uriel being worked Uriel completedPortland StoneNorth Transept, Westminster Abbey
1978Henry V & Catherine of Valois Carving Demonstration Catherine of Valois completedPortland StoneNorth Transept, Westminster Abbey
1978Triple Shell Fountain Workshop Close up Side ShellsPortland StoneAbbots Ripton Hall, Huntindonshire
1978St Joseph and Child Christ ChurchYork stoneSt Joseph's RC Church, Darlaston, West Midlands
1984Talbot HoundGrinsill stoneAlton Towers, Staffordshire
1985Royal Achievement Coat of ArmsPawsons York StoneCounty Court Buildings, Burton-on-Trent
1985CrucifixWood, Decorated and GildedSt Agatha's Church, Llanymynech, Oswestry
1986Crucifix In WorkshopAshCrypt Chapel, St Marylebone Parish Church, London
1986Heraldic Symbols: Staff of Life – Lancaster RoseGuiting StoneHouses of Parliament, Riverside exterior
1986Heraldic SymbolsGuiting StoneHouses of Parliament, Riverside exterior
1989Archangel GabrielClipsham StoneSt Gabriels Church, Walsall
1990Commemorative Tablet Work in progressWelsh Blue SlateSt Osburg's RC Church, Coventry
1990Dr Samuel Johnson Work in Progress Work in Progress RA Demonstration Completed figure front Completed figure rearBurmese TeakThe Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum, Lichfield
1991Little Moreton Hall South elevation Original post Carving in workshop Carving in situEnglish Green OakLittle Moreton Hall, Cheshire
1991Amphitrite Rear view Close up Blocking in 1 Blocking in 2 FinishingLime woodSculptors Private Collection
1992Sir Edwin Lutyens Blocking in 1 Blocking in 2 Carving DemonstrationBleached Brazilian mahoganyPrivate Collection
1992St DunstanLime woodSt Dunstans RC Church, Kings Heath, Birmingham
1993Pope St Gregory the GreatLime woodSt Gregory's RC Church, Stoke-on-Trent
1993Trophy boxes Trophy Box Working drawing Grand Cross Star Centre panel Crown Grand Cross Star in situOakOrder of the British Empire Chapel, St Paul's Cathedral, London
1994Sir William Dugdale, 2nd Baronet In situ Profile Clay maquetteBronzeMerevale Hall, Warwickshire
1994Dean John Lang & Francis Lang Work in progressStoneLichfield Cathedral
1995St Ambrose Working drawing Rear viewLime WoodSt Ambrose RC Church, Kidderminster
1996Salacia – Queen of the Ocean In workshopLime WoodPrivate Collection
1998Erasmus Darwin relief Incised Paving SlabsStoneErasmus Darwin House, Lichfield
1998St Kenelm Working Drawing In WorkshopLime WoodOur Lady and St Kenelm RC Church, Halesowen, West Midlands
1998A pair of white lions In workshop In situCedarWhite Lion Hotel, Banbury
1998St Mary and Child Christ Work in progress DedicationLime WoodSt Mary's Hospital Chapel, London
1999St Kenelm Working Drawing School visitLime WoodOur Lady and St Kenelm RC School, Halesowen, West Midlands
2002Denis Parsons self-portrait Side viewLime woodSculptors collection
2003Augustus Pugin Portrait Bust Side View Base MaquetteJapanese OakPrivate collection
2004Blessed Virgin Mary and Child Christ 1, 2, 3BronzeChurch of Our Lady, Merevale, Warwickshire

References

  1. ↑ "Denis Parsons, artist in wood and stone". St Joseph's RC Church.
  2. ↑ "Johnson birthplace carves out space for crafts people". Lichfield Mercury. 4 July 2013.
  3. ↑ Crabtree, Charlie (29 November 2008). "Church celebrates 150th Anniversary". Kidderminster Shuttle.
  4. ↑ "St Marylebone Parish Church".
  5. ↑ "papers rel to carving of St Uriel". The National Archives. The National Archives.
  6. ↑ Atkinson, Daryl (1994). "A voyage of Discovery – The Repair and Restoration of Little Moreton Hall". The Building Conservation Directory: 59, 60.
  7. ↑ "On The Side of the Angels". The Birmingham Post. 21 February 1992.
  8. ↑ Parsons, Denis Alva. "Membership No. 161". Royal British Society of Sculptors.
  9. ↑ "The London Gazette Supplement:53332 Page:B20". The London Gazette.
  10. ↑ Lichfield Gazette tribute to Denis Parsons
  11. ↑ Lichfield Gazette – The Denis Parsons Foundation
  12. ↑ "Carving Through Tradition – Holding your Work". Practical Wood Working. March 1992.
  13. ↑ Noszlopy, George T.; Waterhouse, Fiona (2005). Public sculpture of Staffordshire and the Black Country. Liverpool: Liverpool Univ. Press. p. 278. ISBN 0853239894.
  14. ↑ Hancock, Marion (27 April 1994). "My Carving". The Architects' Journal. 199 (17): 58.
  15. ↑ Hall, Michael (21 April 1994). "True Principles". Country Life: 70.
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