Sky Parra by J F Fitz-Walter

Sky Parra is a Brisbane/Magandjin artist whose practice is an act of advocacy. Through her project Denied, she has travelled across Australia to paint the portraits of people wrongfully convicted, immersing herself in their experiences and bringing overlooked stories into everyday dialogue. Her works have been exhibited widely, including at Salamanca Place in Hobart and Fremantle Prison in Western Australia.

J F Fitz-Walter has known Parra for several years, first encountering her work when she exhibited at Land Street Gallery in 2022. “She has such conviction and momentum,” Fitz-Walter says. “She’s a remarkable young woman.” In this portrait, Parra sits in a vast, monochromatic space, evoking a sense of emptiness and aloneness. She carries the weight of others’ stories alongside her own, navigating personal health challenges with the same determination that defines her work. This haunting work captures the many facets of Parra, vulnerability and uncertainty alongside stoicism and resilience.