MARY JANE PARKER’s work combines printmaking techniques with other media including drawing, encaustic painting and glass. Her work is figurative and explores themes of ritual and memory. Ms. Parker received her BFA from Louisiana State University, MA and MFA. Studio Art with Printmaking emphasis from Illinois State University. Ms. Parker’s work is part of the permanent collection of the New Orleans Museum of Art, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, the LSU Museum of Art and the Center for Book Arts in New York and numerous private collections. Mary Jane taught for many years at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, a professional arts high school. She is represented in New Orleans by Arthur Roger Gallery and she is a member of the Baton Rouge Gallery.

Artist Statement

Concepts of fragility, compulsion and ritual are recurring themes in my work. I use everyday objects to tell stories. Each piece serves as a visual narrative, inviting viewers to unravel layers of meaning woven into the elements. The process, whether it is creating a laborious graphite drawing or working with glass, plays an important role in the work. Through my exploration, I am attempting to bridge the gap between the tangible and the ethereal, encouraging viewers to think about the connection between everyday items and our deeper human existence.