Dangerous Visions 2 (detail) Acrylic on panel, canvas with varnish and pinned paper
122 x 122 cm 1977
Contemporary stained glass artist who came to prominence in the swinging 60s, compadre of the Beatles and Rolling Stones. Rising star who made his name as a bad boy artist, but whose media attention and fame was backed up with a unique talent and vision for use of stained glass art.
“Stained glass has the potential to contribute to the urban fabric of the
21st century as successfully as it did to the 15th …"
Clarke is an enduring radical, whose past is as colourful as his works.
I first came across his work after a chance viewing of a documentary about him on IPlayer. His gentle, humour, lack of pretense and pioneering approach to what has been seen as an outdated medium (glass) was pretty riveting viewing.
I love the uncomplicated nature of his work. I feel it has feeling and depth beyond the seeming simplicity of his designs. Working in multimedia, his sketches, sculptures and installations have taken on more personal meaning over the last decade following the death of his mother. Timeless themes permeate his work that make them relatable and enduring.
From the point of view of impact on my current projects, seeing him draw on black paper, must have stuck with me. I hadn't consciously rememebered the content of his paintings but now I've been playing with silhouettes of drones,it looks like a plain poor mans plagiarism.
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