Biography clark claude paintings

There were records on paper, on stone, on walls in the temples that rivaled anything produced later in the Renaissance. Over the years, I have painted representative and figurative subjects. About thirty years ago, I was introduced to Non-Objective Expressionism. I didn't attempt abstract art in the s, nor did I try during my years at the Barnes Foundation.

Barnes not only has the world's finest collection of Modern Art, but presents the theory in his book, "The Art of Painting," that the format of the Modern Masters was the same as that of old Western Masters. For instance, the contemporary artist presents a simple design, while the old Master presented the same format, but built in the detailed subject matter.

He also mentored and supported many young emerging scholars and artists. While studying there, he came across the work of Van Gogh. Van Gogh's style and method formed the basis of Clark's approach to drawing and painting, with thick creamy texture and loosely applied paint using a palette knife. Clark studied at Barnes from to The Albert Barnes collection consisted of an array of works that included African art, European Impressionism and American art.

He also performed independent research from to Clark moved his family to Talladega, Alabama and subsequently Sacramento, California. Clark matured in art by recognizing his opportunity to develop without being constrained by the racism , poverty and inherent inequality of circumstance prejudice and labels bring. His work exhibited social realism, modern and abstract styles.

When Clark could not afford paint, he salvaged throw away paint cans from trash bins in the back of art schools and mixed his own. Unable to afford to buy paint brushes and chemicals to clean them, he mastered use of the palette knife. Clark painted and exhibited from a very early age and sold his first works in his early twenties. Collectors continue to seek Clark's works 70 years later.

Clark worked at various jobs throughout the late s and mids before accepting a position as an art instructor with Philadelphia Public school in — Philadelphia artist Reba Dickerson-Hill studied privately with him in the s. Clark became interested in working for a Black college as his interest in African and African American history developed further.

He accepted a position at Talladega College , Talladega, Alabama, as an associate professor of art — In , while teaching at Talladega, Clark began feeling the financial pressures and made the decision to move his family to his wife's native state of California to seek greater opportunity. Clark enrolled in Sacramento State University and taught art classes to other undergraduate students while simultaneously obtaining his Bachelor of Arts degree.

His work will always hold its own among America's great colorists. It is hoped his legacy will be remembered by this nation for many decades. The son Claude Lockhart Clark's mission has been instrumental in helping to create a climate for appreciation, greater cultural exchange and diversity in art. He has provided information resources concerning an African cultural heritage in Africa and Diaspora.

As a consultant for the Antropology Department - California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco California, Clark demonstrated African woodcarving principles over a 10 year period spanning from to In March of he was instumental in showing a connection between his family memorial stools and family lineage. Presentation was published with a group of essays in book titled " Kemet and The African Worldview "; Publication was edited by Maulana Karenga and Jacob H.

During the summer of an e-commerce web site for ClaudeClark. It includes dance scenes, street urchins, landscapes and still-lifes executed primarily with a palette knife. His bold, assured strokes of the paint illuminate the exaggerated movement of Black dance and the luscious texture of foliage and fruit. In early August , Clark's parents became part of that great exodus of blacks leaving the south for a better life during the Great Migration.

They traveled to Philadelphia where Clark attended a predominantly white school. Clark experienced overt racism while attending high school, but did not allow it to deter him from his dream of becoming a poet or an artist. While there, he again experienced racism from some of his instructors. However, others like Frank Copeland and Earl Horter were supportive.

Henry Pitz influenced his figurative work and Franklin Watkins was inspirational in showing him the freedom inherent in painting. By the third year, Clark won the painting prize and Watkins purchased some of his works. While studying at the school, Clark's teachers introduced him to the technique of Van Gogh in the handling of the still life.

Biography clark claude paintings

The execution of this style formed the basis of his approach to drawing and painting. In his composition, Van Gogh and Cezanne's influence can be felt in the thick creamy texture and loosely applied paint. The palette knife became his tool of choice and Clark's deft handling of it has been his signature trademark. Clark recalled: "I dared to paint in the drawing classes instead of using charcoal.

The students at that school were quite amazed I wanted to get as much painting as possible. But doing this time there was a suspicion of modernist techniques as opposed to the traditional methods of making art. His work was sometimes labeled "neo-primitive" or "neo-Baroque. Wilhelm DeKooning would be vehemently scandalized a couple years later for painting realistic subject matter, while the use of the palette knife would become the norm in artistic circles.

Clark applied to the distinguished Barnes Foundation in Merion, Pennsylvania in , but missed his appointment. He reapplied and was accepted in In , during the Great Depression, Clark was desperately searching for a job.