©copyright john parrey 2010

 

The fish are all individual although I always use local english oak for the body, inlay hickory for the spots, boxwood for the lighter colour of the eyes and usually bamboo for the teeth.

They are all numbered on sterling silver tags hanging from the tails. They range from 20 to 58 inches long and are priced from £175 to £1400+.

 

 

I enjoy working in all natural materials, especially wood and metal. My main influences are medieval and renaissance objects and art and I try to capture character, life and a timeless quality in all my pieces.  

 

B 1953 Nottingham

Educated at RudolfSteinerSchool Derbyshire.

1971 Began working in silver – opened first of 3 Arts and Crafts shops with workshop.

1977 Exhibited at the Loot Exhibition Goldsmiths Hall London.

1979 Moved to Henley on Thames making jewellery in silver and gold for local outlets. Started working in wrought iron making decorative sculptures and weathervanes. Sculptures sold through Century Galleries Henley and through individual commissions including a weathervane for TutburyCastle Staffs.

1982 Widened experience in working in metals, restoring and making bodywork for pre-war sports and racing cars in wood, aluminium and steel.

1984 Made wooden body frame for rare Bugatti and restored several rare vintage motorcycles.

1986 Returned to making jewellery in silver gold and copper selling through an outlet in Covent Garden & Soho London and through individual commissions and a yearly exhibition.

1990 Became interested in music and made some musical instruments, including a set of Uilleann bagpipes made from ebony, ivory, silver, mahogany, boxwood and leather. Taught self to play and formed band playing Irish music. Produced a C.D

1992 Along came the children-became a househusband and a part time jeweller.

1998 Started making decorative wooden fish in oak, hickory, boxwood and silver.

2001 Featured in an ITV television program called Art in the Country which focused on the fish making.

More recently various local exhibitions including River & Rowing Museum Henley on Thames. And various commissions for interior designers.

 

john parrey lives in south oxfordshire and sells his fish direct to customer he can be contacted by phone on     01189402471

or emailed at john.parrey@btinternet.com