The thoughtfully curated art collection at Parker has been crafted by talented local and international artists, which blend seamlessly with the Nordic interior design philosophy. These artworks bring artistic beauty, inspiration, and cultural appreciation to the community's interior spaces. From captivating paintings to intricate sculptures, a visually stimulating environment and warm ambience is ever-present at Parker.
Florence Solis is one of the local artists featured in Parker's Lobby Lounge. Florence is a self-taught artist with a background in Interior Design and a knack for giving life to unique and abstract concepts through her paintings.
Solis' nine years in Interior Design were instrumental in shaping her painting style today. At first glance, her works appear to be digital productions, though on closer inspection, “you will find the painterly gestures and elements in contrast,” says Solis.
This crossover of styles is consistent with her journey to discover and define her sense of identity. “As a Filipino immigrant in 2001, much of my identity was tied to my religious and patriarchal upbringing,” says Solis. “I grew up passive about making my own path, that when I discovered my passion for art, it felt like a rebirth that allowed for healing and finally, growth. This shows in my pieces where there is fragmentation of figures but there is also a synthesis of elements representing the beginning of a new whole.”
Most recently, Solis has been hard at work on a series of paintings that re-imagine mythological and superstitious stories from her heritage; a series that she says she was inspired to create after the birth of her son. “I want to share the richness of my own childhood memories with my son and hope this connects him to his Filipino roots as I rediscover mine,” says Solis.
The influence of storytelling is the connective tissue across Solis’ works, which she describes as being a consequence of both loving reading and being “terrible at words.”
“I’m always working on a piece, but I wait for the right moment to dedicate time for each idea,” says Solis. “My process in terms of conceptualization is never linear. Once the idea is fleshed out, I believe the hardest part is done because the act of painting in itself feels second nature to me (and the most fun!).”
Book a tour of Parker to experience our Scandinavian award-winning rental suites. Come home to incredible works of art, such as an original vivid painting by Solis that is proudly displayed in The Parker’s Lobby Lounge. You can also see Solis’s works at the Duran Mashaal Gallery in Montreal, and the Wallspace Gallery in Ottawa.