Biography

Mark Parkin was born in Cardiff, south Wales, at the age of nine he emigrated with his family to Toronto, Canada. He undertook studying the visual arts by enrolling in the Vocational Art Programme at Georges Vanier secondary high school at the age of 14 years old.  After graduating high school he was accepted into the Ontario College of Art, Toronto where he continued his studies in the Visual & Fine arts. As a student influences reflected in his work were Giorgio de Chirico, Max Ernst, Ivan Albright and Salvador Dali.  While studying at Toronto University/OCA he received "Best in Show" for the water-colour painting "No Tomorrow" competing in North York's "Eye on Art" Open Show. The following year he finished his studies at the Ontario College of Art and began his career as a professional artist. He resided and worked in Montreal, Quebec for approximately two years before returning to Toronto. The following year he decided to travel throughout Europe to discover the diversity of different cultures and the great art museums.  He resided in Barcelona, Spain for approximately eight years exhibiting his artworks before his return to Wales . Since his return he has been employed as an art lecturer, his most recent post being at Hunghuai University & Henan Arts & Technology University, China. He continues to paint and has had exhibitions sponsored by Arts Council Wales.