Despard Gallery is excited to present An Animistic Dialectic, a solo exhibition by establish contemporary sculptor Glen Clarke.
Glen Clarke’s practice expands the field of contemporary sculpture through intricate collage-based works that combine folded banknotes and precise colourful cut-outs of various military hardware. Elements are meticulously arranged to resemble mandalas, echoing spiritual Buddhist symbols that signify infinity, harmony and wholeness. Each work considers these religious and political themes in contrast to the hostilities of war, folded and cut elements denoting the perilous balance between the profits and loss attributed to war.
“Between 2007 and 2011, I lived and researched in Vientiane, Lao PDR, focusing on UXO’s (UnExploded Ordnance) along The Ho Chi Minh Trail. This experience provided a deeper understanding of the methodologies and technologies of modern warfare. During this time, I became fascinated with both Buddhism and Animism, learning directly from the community Sharman and the Nay-Ban. Awareness gained around the rituals, ceremonies and symbolism that unearth spiritual meaning have provided me with a more inclusive way of seeing.
On returning to Australia, I was most fortunate to work and live with a unique group of Indigenous Artists from the East Kimberley. Teachings gained from Indigenous Elders continue to enrich my sense of aestheticism and sculptural experimentation. A belief, respect and fascination for a Contemporary Animism in Australian Culture continues to influence and layer my work with bigger questions.“ Glen Clarke
EXHIBITION IMAGES
GLEN CLARKE The Presence Of Absence 2020 various world currencies, paper, cotton thread on paper 76 x 76 x 8 cm $14,500.00 (framed)
GLEN CLARKE Board Games 2020 US Dollar, China Yuan, Arches watercolour paper and cotton thread 76 x 76 x 7.5 cm $14,500.00 (framed)
GLEN CLARKE We are Stardust - Billion Year Old Carbon 2020 Paper and cotton thread 76 x 76 x 1 cm $14,500.00 (framed)
GLEN CLARKE We'll Put The Wheels In Motion 2020 Paper and cotton thread 76 x 76 x 1 cm $14,500.00 (framed)
GLEN CLARKE Lavender Mist 2020 Chinese Yuan, plastic film, cotton thread on paper 76 x 76 x 2 cm $14,500.00 (framed)
GLEN CLARKE Location Data 2020 Cut paper and cotton thread on paper 76 x 76 x 7.5 cm $14.500.00 (framed)
GLEN CLARKE Samsara 2020 Paper and cotton thread on paper 76 x 76 x 4 cm $14,500.00 (framed)
GLEN CLARKE Wolf Warrior Diplomacy 2020 Paper and cotton thread on paper 76 x 76 x 5 cm $15,750.00 (framed)
GLEN CLARKE Ignoring The Science 2020 Laos handmade paper, Jacaranda Atlas, laminated Inkjet, cotton thread on paper 76 x 76 x 6 cm $14,500.00 (framed)
GLEN CLARKE Thirty Seven Nations From Home To Work 2020 World currencies, Jacaranda Atlas, Inkjet, Laos handmade, cut paper, cotton thread on paper 76 x 76 x 7 cm $14,500.00 (framed)
GLEN CLARKE The Dow, The Nikkei and The Nature Of Landscape MKII 2020 World currencies, Jacaranda Atlas, Inkjet, Laos handmade, cut paper, cotton thread on paper 76 x 76 x 8 cm $14,500.00 (framed)
GLEN CLARKE Opal 2020 Chinese RMB Yuan, Laos Kip, Iraqi Dinar, Afghanistan Afghani, US dollar 76 x 76 x 4 cm $14,500.00 (framed)
GLEN CLARKE Bodhisattva, Won’t You Take Me By The Hand 2020 Vietnam dong, Iraqi Dinar, Cambodian Riel, cut paper, cotton thread on paper 76 x 76 x 4 cm $14,500.00 (framed)
GLEN CLARKE Erased 2020 656m correction tape on archival board 204 x 229 cm $26,250.00
GLEN CLARKE Joonba 2020 Triptych, lustre print on aluminium 45 x 180 cm Edition 4 of 4 (+2 AP) $8,750.00
GLEN CLARKE For Dougie Young and The Land Where The Crow Flies Backwards 2020 Diptych, Artline Ink pen on Arches 57.5 x 152 cm $6,250.00 (framed)
GLEN CLARKE Menindee 2020 Artline Ink pen on Arches 57.5 x 76 cm $4,250.00 (framed)
GLEN CLARKE Man Losing His Shadow – Red, White and Blue 2020 Artline Ink pen on Arches 57.5 x 76 cm $4,250.00 (framed)
GLEN CLARKE Them Sister From Woorrewoorrem Called Me Jamala 2020 Triptych, Artline Ink pen on Arches 78 x 171 cm $8,750.00 (framed)
GLEN CLARKE At Thegoobeleng (Black Rock), They Sang Me In, They Wet My Knees, Elbows and Neck 2020 Diptych, Artline Ink pen on Arches 78 x 114 cm $6,250.00 (framed)
VICTORIA CLARKE & GLEN CLARKE Koala Tax 2020 Brown Sugar, Golden Syrup, eggs, Plain Flour, Ground Ginger, Mixed Spice, Bicarb Soda, Icing Sugar Dimensions variable $8.00 (each)
IMAGE DETAILS
GLEN CLARKE Location Data (detail) 2020 Cut paper and cotton thread paper 75 x 76 x 7.5 cm $17,750.00 (framed)
GLEN CLARKE Opal (detail) 2020 Chinese RMB Yuan, Laos Kip, Iraqi Dinar, Afghanistan Afghani, US dollar 76 x 76 x 4 cm $17,750.00 (framed)
GLEN CLARKE The Dow, The Nikkei and The Nature Of Landscape MKII (detail) 2020 World currencies, Jacaranda Atlas, Inkjet, Laos handmade, cut paper, cotton thread on paper 76 x 76 x 8 cm $17,750.00 (framed)
GLEN CLARKE Lavender Mist (detail) 2020 Chinese Yuan, plastic film, cotton thread on paper 76 x 76 x 4 cm $17,750.00 (framed)
GLEN CLARKE The Presence Of Absence (detail) 2020 various world currencies, paper, cotton thread on paper 76 x 76 x 8 cm $17,750.00 (framed)
GLEN CLARKE Bodhisattva, Won’t You Take Me By The Hand (detail) 2020 Vietnam dong, Iraqi Dinar, Cambodian Riel, cut paper, cotton thread on paper 76 x 76 x 4 cm $17,750.00 (framed)
EXHIBITION CATALOGUE
VIRTUAL VIEWING ROOM
Click here to request virtual viewing room catalogue.
EXHIBITION INSTALLATION VIEWS
GLEN CLARKE Exhibition View - (front) Koala Tax (collaboration between Victoria and Glen Clarke), (back) Erased.
GLEN CLARKE Exhibition View - (left to right) We are Stardust - Billion Year Old Carbon, We’ll Put The Wheels In Motion, Samsara, The Presence Of Absence, Bodhisattva, Won’t You Take Me By The Hand, Menindee & or Dougie Young and The Land Where The Crow Flies Backwards.
GLEN CLARKE Exhibition View - (left to right) he Presence Of Absence & Bodhisattva, Won’t You Take Me By The Hand.
GLEN CLARKE Exhibition View - (left to right) At Thegoobeleng (Black Rock), They Sang Me In, They Wet My Knees, Elbows and Neck, Them Sister From Woorrewoorrem Called Me Jamala & Opal.
GLEN CLARKE Exhibition View - (left to right) Location Data & The Dow, The Nikkei and The Nature Of Landscape MKII.
GLEN CLARKE Exhibition View - (left to right) We are Stardust - Billion Year Old Carbon, We’ll Put The Wheels In Motion & Samsara.
GLEN CLARKE Exhibition View - (left to right) Thirty Seven Nations From Home To Work, Ignoring The Science, Boards Games & Wolf Warrior Diplomacy.
