ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: We are Pleased to Host Artist Barbara Clark (American, b. 1942) on Our Radar
“There is always something erupting from my imagination and unconscious which pushes me to paint”
In looking at the state of women in the arts, one of Britain’s foremost museums TATE asks: “What does it mean to be a woman in art?”
International Women Artists' Salon is aiming to answer just these types of questions and working to fill the gaps where they exist. The ‘cross-disciplinary, cross-cultural’ organization serves as a repository where thousands of female creatives as well as organizations are connected via social media and local events, in NYC and around the nation and world.
International Women Artists' Salon has set some pretty important and admirable goals for its future, stating, Our shared vision is to create a community of individuals and organizations with the resources and passion to gain critical visibility in the creative world for women artists of all backgrounds, ages, stages of career, and cultures, in every creative discipline. A pretty tall order which is destined to do some good.
On the way to realizing their aim of gaining critical visibility for women in the arts, the organization presented a roster of 50 female artists for its recent New York City programming. We were especially drawn to artist Barbara Clark with her vibrant acrylics and subtle nod to the Japanese style of illustration, which she is attracted to because of its simplicity. I reached out to hear more about her life’s journey, her immersion in art and her activities in forging ahead in drawing and most notably a return to painting.
Our conversation with the septuagenarian was devoid of the woes of the art world’s notorious, lackluster selection of women artists for participation in visual showcases, gallery representations and museum acquisitions. She instead refreshingly shared what she hopes to impart to her viewers; why she loves Japanese art “in all its forms” and her return to painting - a story reminiscent of rejoining a jilted love.
It is a delight to catch up with American painter and illustration artist Barbara Clark (American b. 1942). About her relationship with art, Barbara said:
As a child I was always drawing and had lessons at the Brooklyn Museum quite early---I was fascinated by designs and grew up in house filled with antiques and tapestries which added to my interest in art. For many years I did not pursue it, but was involved in writing and studying literature. On and off over the years I'd come back to drawing but was concentrating on my profession as a psychotherapist. It wasn't until about 10 years ago that I really went back to focussing on painting though I'd always done some drawing.
Why do you paint?
It seems I always did. I drew a lot and was taken to the art school at the Brooklyn Museum when young. I liked watercolors and pastel – avoided oils which seemed too complex, but liberated myself with acrylics. I painted because I was fascinated by designs and shapes, and still am; plus there is always something erupting from my imagination and unconscious which pushes me to paint. I’d say I want to let out what is uninvited in me and bring it to life.
What motivates you as an artist?
Motivation comes from having a vision of what I’d like to present to a viewer – beauty in all it forms, a sense of the humorous and joyful – things transcendent and at times haunting.
What is your process in making art?
My process is quite fluid – when I think it necessary, I will lay out the forms on the canvas to work from there – often I just start freely with whatever image/thought that I have and work from that point. I particularly like Japanese art and calligraphy so I enjoy brushwork with handmade inks, especially working on wet paper and forming shapes. I become immersed in this as if in another dimension.
What are some of the challenges you face as an artist?
The challenges are to work towards what is fulfilling as an artist – is the work a ‘reality’ as it is conceived - did I do a good job and reveal what I wanted to in terms of techniques, forms, and colors?
Where are you from and what can you tell me about the art scene there?
I live in NYC in the middle of a rampant, flourishing, and overpriced art scene. I don’t look at much of the work because I have no affinity to it. There are some really fine artists and then there are not.
Who are some artists you admire?
I especially like Arshile Gorki for his elegant and enchanting use of line and his spirit even though his history was so tragic. I admire Joanie Mitchelle’s abstractions and Rosa Bonheur’s horses. In German Expressionism I find a fantastic revelation of what is socially disfigurating and powerful in the human condition. Ultimately I love Japanese work in all forms – because we learn that ‘less is more’.
How has this COVID phenomenon impacted your art practice?
Covid did not really impact my life. I was more concerned with a knee replacement operation that I had.
Help creatives thrive.
This post is in celebration of women artists such as Barbara Clark and many, many others, whom despite a significant number going under-appreciated, under-exhibited and under-represented, in their own unique ways, continue to be bound to making art they love and simply practice their craft, while delivering visual narratives of joy, history, beauty, protest and wonder.
#AD: collect Barbara Clark’s art via her her website or on leading e-commerce marketplace 1stdibs.