Figurative artist employing dashing brushwork, born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He did a foundation course at Camberwell School of Art, 1986–7, and gained an honours degree in fine art from Newcastle upon Tyne Polytechnic, 1989–92, attending El Fondo de Bienes Culturales, Cuba, for screenprinting, 1991. Parker was studio apprentice with Patrick Hamilton, Florence, Italy, 1986; Clive Garland, 1987; Nelson Villalobo, Zaragoza, Spain, 1989; Patrick Gibbs, 1990; Nelson Villalobo, Havana, 1991; and Joseph Moscardo, Barcelona, Spain, 1992, the year he won the RA’s Richard Ford Award. From 1997, took part in mixed exhibitions at Mercury Gallery, which gave him a solo show in 2000. Parker’s portrait commissions included Sir George Trevelyan, 1996, and Sir Charles Trevelyan, 2000, both for The National Trust.