Meet the Artist: An Afternoon with Sam Parsons
A final chance to experience Sam’s exhibition Field Guide – Future Edition and hear from the artist himmself.
Join us for a special afternoon with Artist in Residence Sam Parsons as we celebrate his thought-provoking exhibition Field Guide – Future Edition.
Enjoy a relaxed and intimate conversation between Sam Parsons and Rachel Gefferie, exploring the stories, ideas and inspirations behind the exhibition. Together, they will discuss Sam’s creative process, his research within the Powell-Cotton archives, the museum’s iconic dioramas, and the immersive soundscape that forms part of the installation.
This informal Q&A offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from the artist, ask your own questions, and gain fresh insight into the collections that inspired the work.
Your ticket also includes time to explore the museum and exhibition, along with a complimentary drink on arrival. Choose from wine, soft drinks, tea or coffee before settling into a cosy seating area within Gallery 1 for the conversation.
Places are limited, so advance booking is recommended.
About the Exhibition
As humans, we often separate ourselves from the rest of the natural world, but Field Guide – Future Edition invites us to reconsider that relationship.
Inspired by many plants and animals in our dioramas, artist Sam Parsons intuitively explores the canvas much like discovering a new habitat. His paintings evolve through multiple layers, to become entangled, immersive views with no fixed timeline. Old garments and scrap fabrics emulate organic forms, whilst fleeting glimpses of the animals move through the room.
The exhibition will also feature an immersive soundscape inspired by recordings captured in Quex Gardens by our Community Gardener Rosie Carr, together with ceramic artist Julia Ellen Lancaster and participants from the Sunshine Project groups.
About Sam Parsons
Sam Parsons is a painter from Whitstable, Kent. His practice draws on a background in zoology, experience in conservation and a 20-year career as a fashion designer. These influences shape both the research and materials behind his work.
Through painting and mixed media, Sam’s work challenges the viewer’s perspective on humanity’s place within nature. His practice explores the more-than-human world, engaging with ideas of nonhuman agency, environmental ethics and ecological storytelling.
He received the Harold Tillman Scholarship to study an MA in Womenswear at the London College of Fashion. During this time, experiments with textiles led to a shift from fashion into fine art.
Sam has since developed his practice through mentorship programmes including the London Creative Network, Artquest’s Eco Activism Salon and Beyond Studio. Recent exhibitions include shows at the Nunnery Gallery, London Art Fair, and The Pie Factory.
Find out more via his website: www.samparsons.com
Growing up locally, I visited the Powell-Cotton Museum many times as a child, which helped foster my fascination with nature. Having now studied zoology and become an artist, it is exciting to return and interpret the scene with a fresh perspective — one that learns from natural history to champion a more natural future.
Sam Parsons
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