Europa 

Michael Parkes painted ‘Europa’ using traditional oil paints, which is not unusual, but his artistic practice is uniquely his own. Parkes’s mastery with the oil medium is apparent through the artwork’s smooth, porcelain-like finish. He uses a meticulous glazing technique that involves building up multiple thin layers of paint, resulting in a luminous and ethereal quality. Oil paint’s capacity for blending allows for a seamless transition of colors and tones. Look closely at the figures, and you will notice the delicate gradations in skin tone and the subtle interplay of light and shadow. The details of the swan’s feathers, the water’s reflections, and Europa’s drapery, evidence a high level of craftsmanship and attention to detail. Parkes' choice of oil paints also influences the artwork’s theme. By using a classical medium he reinforces the scene’s ties to traditional European art and mythology. He then destabilizes the tradition by imbuing it with his brand of surreal fantasy, which is tied to non-Western spiritual motifs. It’s a subtle subversion, but one that speaks to the porous borders between high and low art.