Denis Clarke is a Sydney based painter whose gestural works interrogate sense perception and the practical rules of representation and reality. This new series of work reconsiders the visual languages of texture, shape and space, putting forth a platform to play with subject matter and cognizance, giving space for the unexpected to invade the game of play.
Painting for me is a bodily thing. It involves the relationship between one’s self and making contact with the tactile. Why tactile? Because I am touching materials and feeling out my experience of looking at a subject such as landscapes, people and buildings.
Drawing is the whole key. Not drawing for its own sake but drawing to explore ideas for connecting with the world. Finish is irrelevant. These drawings serve the purpose of the painting and illuminate my imagination to the possibilities of new compositions. I am interested in the physicality and directness of drawing which often finds its way into my works on paper as well as my paintings.
My interest is what I would call 'creating a process of informed experiment'. I allow myself to risk and play with media while aligning my senses with the observed. It is the otherness or feel of a subject which provides the impetus to experiment and find new solutions with mark.
For me, working before a subject is deeply complex and a chance to explore visual language. The test is to find graphic statements and abstractions which truthfully parallel perceptions and travel towards a resolved image. Previously Unseen explores my reactions and connection with the urban which has been an important aspect of my painting for many years. It is a reference to my wish to try and see the world anew.
After completing a Diploma in Art Education at the National Art School and Alexander Mackie College in Sydney in 1975, Denis Clarke was awarded the NSW Travelling Art Scholarship and Moya Dyring residency at the Cite International des Arts in Paris. He was invited to participate in the 90th Birthday Exhibition for Desiderius Orban at The Bondi Pavilion Gallery and was also included in The Macquarie Galleries annual Young Painters exhibitions 1973/74. Clarke progressed to postgraduate studies in London at the St Martins School of Art, Byam Shaw and Morley College and set up a studio in north London. From 1975 to 1998, he lived and exhibited in London and Switzerland, teaching at the Camden School of Art and the Hamptead School of Art, London and exhibiting most notably in London at Gillian Jason Gallery, Boundary Gallery and three one-man shows at James Colman Gallery, Knightsbridge.
In 1986 Clarke exhibited in ‘50 years of British Drawing’ at Gillian Jason Gallery 1986, The Boundary Gallery, 1988/94, London, James Colman Fine Art,95/2000 London and Gallerie Ursula Wiedenkeller, Zurich as well as creating set designs and costumes for the experimental Opera Factory, in Zurich and London. In 1998 Denis returned to live and paint in Sydney and exhibited regularly at the Harris Courtin Gallery and in 2003 was awarded the Blackfriars Drawing Acquisitive. He has collaborated with several premier arts organizations such as Opera Factory in London and Switzerland, Warwickshire Arts Festival in the UK, and most recently as the artist in residence at Wollombi Valley Arts Council. Denis has been a sessional lecturer at the National Art School, Sydney, from 1999-2010 and tutored the Dobell School at the NAS from 2011 ongoing. He runs master classes and schools at the Mitchell School of Art, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, the McGregor School, University of Southern Queensland, Cooee Bay Artists Camp, Yapoon, Queensland. He is represented in private and public collections in Europe and Australia, including The Art Gallery of New South Wales, Fitzwilliam College Cambridge and Lloyds of London. Since returning to Sydney in 1998 Denis has been an active exhibitor with the Australian Watercolour Institute at The Gosford Regional Gallery and Juniper Hall, Sydney.
Denis has exhibited widely both in Australia and internationally and has been represented in numerous Art Fairs including ‘Line Art, Ghent’, The Brussels Art Fair, The 20th Century British Art Fair, Royal College of Art, and The Islington Art Fair. Public Collections include: The Art Gallery of NSW.
Please note, this is a revised version of Denis Clarke's CV. To view the full CV (including pre. 2000), please contact the gallery.
Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney; Blackfriars Drawing Trust; The Fitzwilliam College Student Committee, Cambridge University, Cambridge, UK; General Accident Life, Headquarters, York, UK
Waddell, Heather, London Australia Magazine, December 1979, review of NSW House London exhibition ‘Artists of Fame and Promise’ with special mention.
Boys, Larry, Australian Women’s Weekly, 9 January 1980, colour reproduction of painting to accompany short review of ‘Artists of Fame and Promise’ at NSW House London.
Borlase, Nancy, Sydney Morning Herald, 20 June 1981, review of solo exhibition of mainly London work at The Holdsworth Gallery, Sydney.
Miles, Brenda, The Daily Telegraph, 6 June 1981, ‘Painting a message’, reproduction of two drawings and article on the artist for solo exhibition at Holdsworth Gallery, Sydney.
McIntyre, Arthur, Art and Australia, Spring Issue 1982, Exhibitions of Note in 1981, special mention.
Phillpotts, Beatrice, Arts Review, London, May 1983, review of solo exhibition, NSW House Gallery, London, May-June 1983.
Bührer, E, Schaffhauser Nachrichten, 30 July 1984, ‘Die Welt als Bild und Bewegung’, review of solo exhibition at the Mini Gallery, Schaffhausen, 28 July - 25 August, 1984.
Atelier in der Mini-Galerie, ‘Brutalität und Idylle’, SchaffhauserAZ, 30 July 1984, review of solo exhibition at the Mini Gallery, Schaffhausen, 28 July - 25 August, 1984.
Waddell, Heather, ‘Lettre de Londres’, Vie des Arts, Montreal, Winter Issue 1984/5, review of solo show at NSW House Gallery, May-June 1983.
Waddell, Heather, New Art International, Winter 1986, review of solo exhibition at DM Gallery, Dover St, London, 5 - 30 September, 1986.
Elwes, Luke, ‘Australian Art Now and Then’, Galleries, April 1988, vol 5 No 11, review of ‘Australia Observed’, shared exhibition at Boundary Gallery, April-May 1988.
Russell Taylor, John, The Times, April 19, 1988, ‘Advance Australia fair and be recognised’, review of ‘Australia Observed’, shared exhibition at Boundary Gallery, April-May 1988.
‘Mother Earth encountered’, Hampstead and Highgate Express, April 29, 1988, review and reproduction of drawing from ‘Australia Observed’, shared exhibition at Boundary Gallery, April-May 1988.
Lucie-Smith, Edward, British Artists of the 20th Century, 1989, biographical details listed.
‘Summer in all its colours’, Hampstead and Highgate Express, August 17, 1990, review of group exhibition at Boundary Gallery, London with special mention.
Lovatt, Estelle, ‘The streets of London’, Southern Cross Magazine, December 13, 19995, review of solo exhibition at James Colman Fine Art, 21 Nov - 21 Dec 1995.
Art95, ‘London Contemporary Art Fair’, Catalogue, January 1995, reproduction of ‘Still Life, Studio Corner’, 1994.
Art96, ‘London Contemporary Art Fair’, Catalogue, January 1996, reproduction of ‘Soho Siren’.
‘Denis Clarke: New Work’, catalogue of exhibition at James Colman Fine Art, 30 October - 22 November 1997.
What’s On in London, 1997, reproduction of Man on a Park Bench and caption outlining exhibition at James Colman Fine Art, 30 October - 22 November.
Waddell, Heather, London Art and Artists Guide, 1997, ‘Interview with Denis Clarke’, reproductions of paintings.
Waddell, Heather, The London Art World 1979-99, 2000, photograph of artist in studio and paintings.
The Week, 25 March 2000, ‘Where to buy’, review of exhibition at James Colman Fine Art, April 2000.
‘Powerful urban images’, Collector, Wentworth Courier, May 16 2001, reproduction of painting and review exhibition at Polly Courtin Gallery, May 2001.
Gotting, Peter, Sydney Morning Herald, May 1 2001, ‘Spotlight’, reproduction and listing of exhibition at Polly Courtin Gallery, May 2001.
Kidd, Courtney, Sydney Morning Herald, May 2001, ‘Critics pick’ listings.
Sydney Morning Herald, 2002, ‘Spotlight’, reproduction, review and listing of exhibition at Harris Courtin Gallery, October 2002.
Sydney Morning Herald, 2004, ‘Spotlight’, reproduction, review and listing of exhibition at Harris Courtin Gallery, March 2004.
‘Walking the Line’, National Art School Academic Staff, Exhibition of Drawing catalogue, 2005.
'Tradition and Transformation', Taiwan-Australia Watercolour Exhibition Catalogue, 2012.
Denis Clarke
RECONFIGURATION
August 3-27, 2022