6th April 2017 – 23rd April 2017

Living and working in Edinburgh, Silas Parry explores sculptural form and materials in a context of environmental destruction. Through this, he discusses the other organisms that share our world; he is interested in how we relate to other forms of life, as we contribute to ecological change. His sculptures and installations often look to non-human (sea-life, extraterrestrial, fictional beings, planetary forces), and science-fiction futures. He has become increasingly fascinated by encounters with unexpected beings, that can re-frame our role in the environment. These new forms of life result from our political present, yet destabilise our place at the centre of the story.

“Surf ’N’ Turf is a positive take on the end of the world –  an attempt to embrace our dark future, and the choices taking us there.

Because in this time of change, we’re no longer in control. We will re-discover the importance of non-human species and powerful, unknown forces. There will be moments of discovery, as organisms around us act in ways we can’t predict.

In the deep-sea Abyssal Zone, we’ve found unexpected life, thriving in fast-changing and inhospitable conditions. And perhaps, far below those midnight layers, there are glimmers of hope; a way to survive.

The title is taken from dishes popular in US steakhouses that combine seafood and red meat. Touching on two major causes of ecological destruction (overfishing and industrial cattle farming), surf ’n turf dinners present an image of abundance without dilemma or consequence.”