ABOUT
Clare Kent
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Nature and humanity
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Playing with the parameters of universal space and time using light Clare attempts to understand the world by transforming it, re-inventing her/the world into new worlds within the paintings. Always concerned with the natural world and how it relates to and is affected by humanity.
Specifically paying attention to light and how it affects what we are looking at. Light causes things to glow or sparkle or shine. It bounces around hitting surfaces, reflecting and refracting consistently recreating as everything is in a constant state of motion. The power of the sun, the moon and the stars is immense but we are so caught up in consumer culture and the internet we have forgotten to stop, look and listen to all that is and has been on our beautiful earth for millennia. Light affects everything we see and how we perceive it. Clare enjoys this play of infinite natural light and its connection with our planet as it is in the 21st century. Wherever you are and whoever you are the solar system will play a part in your life. Contrary to much modern belief, all that glistens is not gold.
By choosing significant memories that feel relevant to her she creates a kind of visual poem. Always looking and learning from the immediate environment, soaking up events, noticing moments and trying to find the beautiful or extraordinary in the mundane. There is always something to look at or notice but we so often miss it.
Clare is particularly interested in Japanese art and culture which has a big influence on her work. Although everything she paints is from her own experience it combines with her love of Japanese woodblock prints. International modern and historical societies and artistic influences such as pop art and surrealism cannot help but inform the work too.
The light would not be so beautiful without the dark. Questioning the limit of our memories or perceptions, the human condition requires us to look for the light in the dark and for joy amidst sorrow, fun amongst drudgery and hope in despair. The shadow and the light working together to look for truth, beauty and light in everything, giving life its magic.
EDUCATION
M.A. Fine Art Painting. City and Guilds of London Art School. 2000-2002. Villiers David award for outstanding achievement.
B.A. Hons Printed Textile Design. 2:1 Distinction for dissertation. Liverpool John Moores University. 1991-1994.
E.R.R.A.C. Fine Art Textile Design. Distinction. Southend College of Technology. 1990-1991.
Foundation Course. Central St. Martins School of Art. 1989-1990.
TEXTILES
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Textile designs sold New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Tokyo, and Germany. 1994-2002.
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